Balancing Expectations In The Workplace
Towards the later part of the twentieth century there was an evolution of thought about what an employee expected from an employer in the workplace. Prior generations had been happy to have a job to support the family. The employer was considered benevolent if the workplace provided a reasonable expectation of job security, a living wage, opportunity for over time, adequate working conditions, personal loyalty to workers, vacation and some benefits (i.e. medical insurance and/or pension plan). The employer was perceived to have the upper hand in decision making for the company. In some industries unions helped the employers become more benevolent. The workplace conversation almost never ventured into the topic of employee expectation.
Enter the 1990’s with the technology explosion, stock market escalation, proliferation of small businesses, and female power in the workplace. The conversation began to change. Employers found themselves in unfamiliar territory. Higher education became more available to the average person. New industries demanded different skill sets than the previous industrial and manufacturing businesses. More service jobs required proficient soft skill sets formerly considered “manners or social etiquette” by employers. Employee retention became a business concern. Prospective employees began interviewing employers and shopping around for the best personal fit.
The current business climate is fragile at best and volatile at worst. Employers and employees are doing a furtive dance, each speculatively pacing as to not show the other the next step. Neither is capable of performing efficiently without the other. In an imperfect world balance is the key to harmony, success and profits. How can employer expectations and employee needs find the synergy to create balance in the workplace?
There have been numerous surveys, studies, books and articles written by human resource professionals and consultants that have concluded employee satisfaction and employer expectations share more similarities than differences. The balance lies in listening to one another’s concerns and proceeding collaboratively. Consider the following lists of expectations that have appeared on both employee and employer lists:
Communication (clear, concise, timely, listen, up/down)
Inclusion in decision making
Opportunities for professional growth
Adequate training and/or mentoring
Reward Program (recognition, show value)
Respect and Loyalty
Fairness
Living wage
Even though the expectations are not categorized in order, it is important to note that money is not the top expectation for either employee or employer. Has greed subsided given recent business news or is that a topic for another time?
