What's Wrong with the American Worker?

You could say that this article is written by someone who has been in the workforce for thirty two years. The things I have seen companies do over and over again would be poor relations with the employees. The number one issue is communication. Everyone assumes that the employees know what you mean. Do they? Some may, but the ones that do not understand are not going to be productive in your wishes. So it's best to go over any plans in detail so that issue is covered.

Let's not overlook the "open door policy". If you have one, Use it, don't say it and then for one reason or another never have the time to listen to the employees. That leads to a much less harmonious company. If that employee needs to talk to you, listen. Your a professional, right? Then act like one. Most companies have a chain of command policy. If that employee has exhausted all of these and still does not get results, they come to you for leadership and trust. Most of them just want to be heard. You could calmly listen and learn about many things perhaps you had no knowledge of, but should have.

Most employees want you to succeed as that is their bread and butter as well. If they are trying to tell you something there is a reason in most cases. One instance comes to mind for this writer. Quite recently, a friend was having some major problems trying to get a different position within the company. After months of trying to get placed elsewhere and many promises of another position,(none of which ever materialized) She put her notice in. Shortly after that her supervisors boss asked her about it. It turns out there was some major communication errors and the correct people were not being informed of the situation among many other Revelations that this particular supervisor was bot doing their job, she tried to see the owner who always stated that he had an open door policy. when she finally got to talk with him, he was rude and arrogant to say the least. He said to her "you've already put your notice, right?" She replied "yes" He then stated "I would leave it at that"and he promptly turned his back on her. She walked away dumbfounded. Is that her worth? Eleven words? The overtime, the hard work and hanging in there for them through thick and thin. Wow, Eleven words was her worth. What is your employees worth? You would be surprised how many of these things happen every day. Good workers reaching out for a word of encouragement, some sort of acknowledgment for their efforts. Thus the American worker changes his or her views on what the job means to them. So Communication is definitely the key to a better working class of people for you. If just one employer reads this and learns something, It would surely make my day.