The Unappreciated Employee
Dear Dr LeCrone:
Many of my co-workers and I, are very unhappy in our job and morale is very low. We feel unappreciated, think our positive efforts go unnoticed, and believe our hard work and doing a good job is being taken for granted. The C.E.O. has been heard to say “you should be happy just to have a job.” The benefits including my salary are very satisfactory and I like the kind of work I do. Can you offer advice to employers on how to create a happier work force?
-A reader in New Jersey
Dear Reader:
Salary and benefits, although important, are usually not the main reasons that employees are satisfied and remain committed to their job. Instead, job satisfaction and high morale, which effects productivity, comes from feeling that their employer truly appreciates their efforts. A sense of caring needs to be demonstrated from the top down to the employee's immediate supervisor. While many organizations have a very kind and caring CEO, the value of the caring boss is greatly diminished if the employee experiences a strained relationship with his or her immediate supervisor. Often the weak link of the supervisory level goes unnoticed by top management, although it produces dissatisfaction severe enough to promote a high turnover rate. Dissatisfied employees may have difficulty in communicating their unhappiness to upper level management because of the gate keeper role of their supervisor.
Committed employees who remain in an organization feel that they have input into controlling their own destinies within the company. They feel that their opinions and ideas are valued and considered when decisions are made. Satisfied employees don’t voice the sense of isolation and detachment experienced by employees who feel unappreciated.
Satisfied employees have a strong sense of understanding about what is expected of them. Management communications are clear and frequent about expectations and goals. Everyone understands the mission. Employees are also strongly encouraged by their employer to ask for clarification of unclear job performance requirements.
Morale in a company can be enhanced by a C.E.O.’s visit to the production line that expresses appreciation for jobs well done. Company picnics, consolation for a death in the family, recognition for special occasions such as birthdays, and many plain old “good job” and pats on the back for a job well done go a long way to increase employee morale.
I hope these ideas can be used by employers who seek satisfied employees in their organization.
