In a previous article we wrote about the importance of building good relationships between employers and employees in order to maintain a good and productive working environment - Set a goal to build good workplace relationships in 2024 | Platinum Business Solutions.
Because February is said to be the month of romance and love – we thought it would be a good idea to talk about the more personal side of relationships in the workplace. We are not talking about romantic liaisons formed in the workplace as that is an entirely different subject matter, but rather that employers, to maintain good relationships with employees, should always remember that they are people too!
Just as in romantic relationships, through understanding what makes each other happy and that if we endeavour to provide these things our partners will likely reciprocate, in workplace relationships the principles are much the same.
The basic needs of employees
If you, as an Employer, want your people to perform well, be happy in their environment and be productive on an ongoing basis without much conflict ever arising – you need to understand that employees are just people with certain normal human needs. In essence, these are…
Job security
This is vital to the well-being and productivity of every human being. Just as they are happier in a secure marriage they are happier knowing their employment is not always under threat. Ensure that fair and equitable contracts are put into place and updated regularly (we suggest that the help of good labour relations experts is sought to ensure this is done correctly) and when employees perform well make sure that they are complimented and even rewarded as this too goes a long way to install a feeling of job security.
A safe, healthy and pleasing work environment
Just as you don’t want to be working in an area where your health or safety is threatened or where it is so hot or cold that you can’t concentrate, or where the general ambience of the surroundings just doesn’t lend itself to your productivity – neither do your employees.
Remember that their health and safety are your responsibility by law, but a pleasant working environment is something that you can voluntarily (and very wisely) provide to receive far better results from your people!
Good communication – people want to be heard!
A wise man once said you have two ears and one mouth – use them proportionately! People need to be heard, so when they have something to say really listen to them (or ensure you have a representative that does so). Like in any relationship, open, honest, two-way communication, on an ongoing basis, is the best way to avoid conflict and ensure a good, lasting relationship.
We create better employer/employee relationships
In the belief that good relationships will often prevent conflict, Platinum Business Solutions as experienced Labour and Industrial Relations experts work on ensuring that these essential needs (and quite a few others) are always provided to your employees. Through this, better relationships are built, employees are happier and more productive, and most importantly, a lot of conflict in the workplace is avoided altogether.
It stands to reason that the less conflict you need to deal with the more time you have to focus on building a better business and we can help you with every aspect of that too, so talk to us about how we give you the edge in today’s challenging business environment!