Employee relations important to bosses

One of the most desirable characteristics that an employee can possess is the ability to get along well in their relationships with people at work. Employers consistently consider this among the highest assets that an employee can possess. Irritable, disagreeable, argumentative, and uncooperative employees can not only cause problems for the employer but also may damage the morale of those around them. Following are some suggestions that may be helpful in improving work relationships:

• Be clear in your expectations about work related issues. A written job description with a periodic review, written memorandums when indicated and clear, concise directions go a long way in helping reduce work related conflicts.

• Emphasize positive rather than negative communication patterns. How often do you tell those that you work with, supervise, or manage that you appreciate their efforts and enjoy working with them? Unfortunately, it is all too common for many individuals to focus on the imperfections in others and withhold praise and positive recognition because of an assumption that this is simply expected performance and that positive review is unnecessary.

• Depersonalize critiques or suggestions for change in your work performance. Guard against becoming defensive and hypersensitive about modification in your work made by others. If you are a manager/supervisor, keep your requests for change focused on the employee's job performance, not on personal issues.

• Monitor distribution of the work load in the work environment. Is it evenly distributed or do some employees have to pull more than their share of the load? Feelings of resentment and unhappiness can develop as a result of inequitable distribution of duties and responsibilities leading to morale problems and other difficulties.

• Set goals within the organization which can be discussed and agreed upon whenever possible by all the members of the organization. Set up a time to discuss the progress being made or problems encountered. Do this on a regular basis and keep the lines of communication open.

• If you feel that you are being treated unfairly let your co-workers and/or supervisor/manager know. Encourage employees to openly discuss their feelings in a positive solution oriented manner.

• If you are having a bad day due to personal problems, difficulties unrelated to work or just plain feeling bad, let those around you know and ask them to "cut you some slack" in order to help you get through these temporary difficulties. It is not necessary to go into a lot of detail but most individuals appreciate, can accept and understand unexpected problems or illness, as they occur for all of us at times.

• If you find that you are consistently having difficulties relating to those around you in the work place, consider getting professional help in order to try to resolve these problems or conflicts. Letting things go too long can lead to termination, stress and morale problems if unchecked.

Copyright c 1994 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.