First rule

If you are an employer, manager, supervisor, director, or anyone in a leadership role, this message is for you. Your employees are not your servants; they are your coworkers. They work in concert with you to complete a task, produce a product, and/or provide a service. Employees are not people who owe you something because they work at your company. I am not sure when this culture of treating employees as indentured servants became prevalent, but we have all become indoctrinated to this form of treatment in places of work.

Employees have been known to sacrifice time, mental health, physical health, relationships, and friendships because of their “dedication” to the workplace. There are countless stories of people dying on the job. My own experience resulted in having a stroke on the job. My refusal to go to the hospital was because if I left, we would be short-staffed, and my coworkers would have to modify their schedules and planned activities outside of work. I was having a stroke. In fairness, my manager never made me feel like I had to be at work, never imposed a strict attendance mandate, and never used language that implied the job was more important than me. However, desiring to be seen as a team player and a great, devoted employee, I would tough it out; I would show up and work with a smile.

The 2020 pandemic revealed to many employees how some employers view them. The reaction of employees- not returning to the workplace, prioritizing family and themselves over the job was not just a direct result of contradicting the “dedication” mentality. Employers’ threatening tactics, subtle insults, blatant disrespect, and negative workplace culture also contributed. After 2020, much of the workforce returned to the office; however, some never returned or resigned – ‘the Great Resignation’. What employees, especially younger employees, had come to realize is that business is business, and employers view them as replaceable parts. When you treat people as cogs in the machine, expect them to perceive themselves as just that.

We are witnessing changes in the workforce in real time. Companies are reckoning with employees placing importance on themselves as individuals, not just as a job. Employees want to be rightfully recognized as part of a company’s success and wins, not as a minion simply carrying out orders. Employees want to be able to enjoy life and experiences without the guilt of producing more, performing beyond expectations, or sacrificing themselves. A livable wage is not beyond the pale; it is the minimum a company could provide. There is a deep misunderstanding: employees are not replaceable parts; they are essential to keeping the machine running. Just as your body needs its heart and brain, so does the workplace need people to work.

Cultivating a workplace where value is placed on employees equal to the work they do should be the focus.

·         Be present in the workplace; work with your employees, not over them

·         Work with a consultant to assist with employee engagement – this will aid in understanding what concerns or issues employees may be dealing with; this also aids in building good communication with employees

·         Act on the feedback you receive from the consultant, prioritize the matters as to what can be addressed immediately and what may take time, and share this with employees

·         Implement programs, procedures, and processes that facilitate better workplace conditions and culture

·         Offer resources that assist with daily life outside of the workplace, such as childcare, retirement programs focusing on life transitions, and in-the-workplace training and promotion

·         Offer a LIVABLE WAGE – a person who can pay their bills, secure a safe home, and obtain their needs and wants is a highly performing employee

Work is a process. Work sustains life as we know it today, and it provides purpose to many. If you want better-performing workers and a more sustainable workforce, you must change how you view your people.

 The first rule is to take care of your people, and they will definitely take care of you.

By Nick Higgins