The Katywompus Journal Observing Life's Little Quirks by Diane Moody |
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Entry #11: "Take This Job and Love It!
"I hate my job." Ever hear those words? Ever say those words? I don't know about you, but I'm amazed how many people are downright miserable where they work. They feel unappreciated, abused, overworked, and underpaid. They live in a whirlwind of paranoia, wondering if tomorrow is the day they find a pink slip on their desk. How can anyone thrive in that kind of environment? I'm not talking about slackers. You know the type. The perpetual whiners who would complain even if they had the best job in the whole world. No, my topic today focuses on those in management, the people who own and/or run the businesses of everyday life. I've always been baffled by the dynamics of the workplace. "Perplexed" might be the better word. I don't understand why people in management don't get it. How hard can it be to understand? If you want productive workers, treat them well. Period. It's an attitude. And sometimes it has little to do with financial perks. Yes, pay them well. Of course. But value your employees and they will strive for excellence. Aretha was right. It's all about RESPECT. A recent headline in USA Today caught my attention. "More companies downsize family-friendly programs." The article states that over the last decade many companies have adopted special programs to become more responsive to family needs. Things like telecommuting, flexible schedules, job sharing, child care, etc. Unfortunately the trend has changed and many companies are now cutting back on these same programs. Why? It's all about the money. For these companies, all the rhetoric about "family-friendly" programs at the workplace was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. The article concludes by saying "these cutbacks could backfire." Duh?! But what about companies that embody those "family-friendly" policies and make them work? Imagine being an employee of one of the top 100 best companies to work for in the country. Imagine going to work each day for a company that cares about you as an individual, your personal well-being, and your family. Sound too good to be true? SAS, Inc. of Cary, North Carolina is just such a company. SAS believes: "If you treat employees as if they make a difference to the company, they will make a difference to the company. And satisfied employees create satisfied customers." [www.sas.com] SAS programs and facilities at its world headquarters include two on-site childcare centers, an eldercare information and referral program, an employee health care center, wellness programs, an enormous recreation and fitness facility, and many other work-life programs. It provides all employees with free medical care. That's right, FREE medical care, paying 100% of employee medical insurance. These are means by which "the overwhelming majority of SAS's employees stay healthy, stay happy and -- most importantly -- stay." [www.cbs.com] Granted, these are the perks of a mega-corporation. How does that translate to the owner or manager of a small diner or doctor's office or gift shop or lawn service company? Exactly the same. These employers reap the same benefits by treating their employees with respect. It's such a simple concept, but one that offers huge dividends in the long run. In his book, Getting Employees to Fall in Love With Your Company, Dr. Jim Harris puts it this way: "Tap into the dreams and the desires of your best or risk losing them to your competition. Leverage every opportunity you have to create more "loyalty glue" between you and your great employees." Well said. So why do so many companies (both large and small) often blow it? Why do they treat their most valuable asset (their employees) like mere cogs in the wheel of fortune, squashing them under their thumbs, putting the screws to them at every turn? Greed. Power. Control. Think Enron, HealthSouth, WorldCom. Those in power care more about feathering their own nests than looking out for the welfare of those who actually make it all happen. They build palatial homes for themselves instead of providing adequate retirement and health care for those who are the very foundation of the company. In some cases, maybe it's just ignorance, indifference, or apathy. A restaurant owner who nickels and dimes his waiters to death. A convenience store manager who is completely insensitive to his staff, their protection and well-being. And everyone knows the boss who breathes down the neck of his workers, nitpicking their every move. What a different world this would be if employers would come to their senses in this regard. Treat their employers as vital members of a team, as human beings with unlimited potential. I would imagine we'd hear a lot less moaning and groaning as folks head off for work each day. Who knows? Maybe we'd even hear those rare and precious words: "I LOVE my job!" It could happen! 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