It’s not true. Satisfaction is not gained by a pay increase nearly as much as improved working conditions. This has been proven many times. Less micromanaging would be a good start. Of course if your workers suck, then there’s really no hope anyway.
I can relate to that for almost 11 years I was in the same pay rate other then gradual COLA, my work load got bigger as I learned more and more about office work, requisitions, inventory, and the general filling in when someone calls out I had been trained on every job in the department, I stayed cynical about the union we had because everytime I bought up I did more then the average worker I was always told if I were paid more then everyone else it would be unfair to the rest of them at the union meetings, when I went to working completely with the management as sort of a glorified assistant the union sort of turned its back on me anyway. Working conditions only improve when everyone has equal say and everyone has everyones interests at heart.
I’ve worked at more than one place that started out nice, but became a nightmare as the owners got greedy and tried the “shortcut to success.” This meant taking on more business and clients, and increasing the workload for everyone at the bottom, but putting no money into updating systems and expanding facilities. Always the answer was to demand more and more overtime from employees. All night, all weekend. And overtime was enforced through ridicule. “You’re lucky you’ve got a job. What’s the matter, everyone else is able to come in. You’re too good?” At one job we had a manager who’d stand by the time clock at the end of the day, chortling “Dere goes anudder millionaire!” each time someone punched out. Of course, he was afraid he’d lose his job for not persuading us to stay. The final insult came at another company, at Christmas time. While the executives were rolling around in their generous bonuses, the people who had done all the hard work slamming ten times as much work through for months were given a box of candy canes. Not a box apiece. One box- for the entire department to share. THAT was our bonus. Yet still, the bosses thought that morale was something they could order up on demand.
Two of my brothers worked for a major medical company (I’m not here to name names, but it’s one of the big ones.) Their Christmas bonus one year was a first aid book. And, just like Guy Caballero, owner and president of SCTV, a real company one of my brothers worked at gave out cornish hens. I dunno, though- I think the one box of candy canes to share still beats ’em all.
The cheapest, easiest and quickest way to improve worker satisfaction, morale and productivity is to say…
“Thank you”
once in a while. To really make a difference, explain why:
“Thank you for doing [task that person did]. It matters to me because [the outcome] makes a difference to our [customers / strategy / colleagues]. It was worth doing. It’s why we’re here. Keep doing that.”
But it means you have to know what your staff do, what ‘good enough’ looks like, how it links to strategy and what the strategy is, how the business works and a lot of other stuff and that is much harder than sitting in an office and shouting at people for not being psychic.
bransom over 11 years ago
It’s not true. Satisfaction is not gained by a pay increase nearly as much as improved working conditions. This has been proven many times. Less micromanaging would be a good start. Of course if your workers suck, then there’s really no hope anyway.
StoicLion1973 over 11 years ago
So, what’s with the photo outside the window?
Burnside217 over 11 years ago
A culture of respect and honor would go a long ways. I have enjoyed such work places, very, very nice.
Dwilesjr over 11 years ago
I can relate to that for almost 11 years I was in the same pay rate other then gradual COLA, my work load got bigger as I learned more and more about office work, requisitions, inventory, and the general filling in when someone calls out I had been trained on every job in the department, I stayed cynical about the union we had because everytime I bought up I did more then the average worker I was always told if I were paid more then everyone else it would be unfair to the rest of them at the union meetings, when I went to working completely with the management as sort of a glorified assistant the union sort of turned its back on me anyway. Working conditions only improve when everyone has equal say and everyone has everyones interests at heart.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator over 11 years ago
I’ve worked at more than one place that started out nice, but became a nightmare as the owners got greedy and tried the “shortcut to success.” This meant taking on more business and clients, and increasing the workload for everyone at the bottom, but putting no money into updating systems and expanding facilities. Always the answer was to demand more and more overtime from employees. All night, all weekend. And overtime was enforced through ridicule. “You’re lucky you’ve got a job. What’s the matter, everyone else is able to come in. You’re too good?” At one job we had a manager who’d stand by the time clock at the end of the day, chortling “Dere goes anudder millionaire!” each time someone punched out. Of course, he was afraid he’d lose his job for not persuading us to stay. The final insult came at another company, at Christmas time. While the executives were rolling around in their generous bonuses, the people who had done all the hard work slamming ten times as much work through for months were given a box of candy canes. Not a box apiece. One box- for the entire department to share. THAT was our bonus. Yet still, the bosses thought that morale was something they could order up on demand.
jimcos over 11 years ago
“The beatings will continue until morale improves”
johnzakour Premium Member over 11 years ago
The thing is it’s often easier to give more money than to improve working conditions. :-0
burleigh2 over 11 years ago
“We’re having a scavenger hunt! Just make sure your other work doesn’t lag behind when enjoying this fun activity, though.” ;-)
Thomas Scott Roberts creator over 11 years ago
Two of my brothers worked for a major medical company (I’m not here to name names, but it’s one of the big ones.) Their Christmas bonus one year was a first aid book. And, just like Guy Caballero, owner and president of SCTV, a real company one of my brothers worked at gave out cornish hens. I dunno, though- I think the one box of candy canes to share still beats ’em all.
ecboston over 11 years ago
Has Rita’s butt gotten bigger? Or is it just the angle?
cabalonrye over 11 years ago
Can I scavenge your bank account, Rita?
No New Wars over 1 year ago
The cheapest, easiest and quickest way to improve worker satisfaction, morale and productivity is to say…
“Thank you”
once in a while. To really make a difference, explain why:
“Thank you for doing [task that person did]. It matters to me because [the outcome] makes a difference to our [customers / strategy / colleagues]. It was worth doing. It’s why we’re here. Keep doing that.”
But it means you have to know what your staff do, what ‘good enough’ looks like, how it links to strategy and what the strategy is, how the business works and a lot of other stuff and that is much harder than sitting in an office and shouting at people for not being psychic.