In Personnel today, a piece was published which discussed the question of responsibility in the workplace; that is, who is really responsible for the well being of employees in the office? Should it be the sole duty of the employer, or is an individual matter in which the employee should be responsible for their own level of work satisfaction?
It seems as if there should be a middle ground, wherein both the business owner and the staff each have a role to play in creating an environment which is pleasant and easy to work in.
With companies evolving at a whirlwind pace in term of mergers, technology and policies, it can be difficult to keep track of how efficient the staff are and whether they are satisfied with working conditions. This is where both managerial responsibility and self-responsibility comes into play.
Firstly, what can employers do? Taking working relationships seriously is one of the most important steps. These days, it is no longer just the manager or supervisor whose job it is to develop cooperative working relationships. Employers need to initiate contact with employees on a regular basis in order to improve communication. Small things, such as taking an interest in employee’s lives outside of work (without being intrusive!) can work wonders in creating a sense of respect and trust.
Another step which employers and managerial staff can do is to give helpful and timely feedback, regardless of whether it is negative or positive in nature. As well as specific feedback, unexpected, deserved praise for a job well done can be an enormous help when it comes to creating a better working environment.
Delegating is something which every supervisor and business owner needs to know how to do and it is an essential aspect of responsibility in the workplace. Being clear about what work projects need to be done and what the expectations are for the results will ensure that staff know exactly what their expected to achieve and when. This leaves them feeling secure and knowledgeable.
Employees of course should partly be responsible for their own well being in the workplace. Developing their skills on their own initiative is one very significant way to do this; taking extra courses, occasionally working late and attending business conferences will prove to an employer that you are capable of meeting your professional goals. Conference attendance is an excellent way to gather the latest information on one’s industry, so don’t forget to bring along a suitable personalised folder to keep leaflets, paperwork and notes.
It seems as if there should be a middle ground, wherein both the business owner and the staff each have a role to play in creating an environment which is pleasant and easy to work in.
With companies evolving at a whirlwind pace in term of mergers, technology and policies, it can be difficult to keep track of how efficient the staff are and whether they are satisfied with working conditions. This is where both managerial responsibility and self-responsibility comes into play.
Firstly, what can employers do? Taking working relationships seriously is one of the most important steps. These days, it is no longer just the manager or supervisor whose job it is to develop cooperative working relationships. Employers need to initiate contact with employees on a regular basis in order to improve communication. Small things, such as taking an interest in employee’s lives outside of work (without being intrusive!) can work wonders in creating a sense of respect and trust.
Another step which employers and managerial staff can do is to give helpful and timely feedback, regardless of whether it is negative or positive in nature. As well as specific feedback, unexpected, deserved praise for a job well done can be an enormous help when it comes to creating a better working environment.
Delegating is something which every supervisor and business owner needs to know how to do and it is an essential aspect of responsibility in the workplace. Being clear about what work projects need to be done and what the expectations are for the results will ensure that staff know exactly what their expected to achieve and when. This leaves them feeling secure and knowledgeable.
Employees of course should partly be responsible for their own well being in the workplace. Developing their skills on their own initiative is one very significant way to do this; taking extra courses, occasionally working late and attending business conferences will prove to an employer that you are capable of meeting your professional goals. Conference attendance is an excellent way to gather the latest information on one’s industry, so don’t forget to bring along a suitable personalised folder to keep leaflets, paperwork and notes.
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