Food For Thought

I've been thinking. (Yes. I am aware how dangerous that is.) What do we really know about ourselves? What I mean is, we know some of human history and we can speculate on time before that, but have we changed much over the millenia? Are our emotional responses and thought processes consistent over time?

There may be no way to know but here is why I ask:

We control or attempt to control so much of our environment today. I don't mean our tree hugging, Al Gore loving environment, although that is part of it. I mean our means of travel, our intake of food, our health, our births, and even our deaths. We live in a media frenzy, 24 hour a day world of celebrities and bling bling. I wonder if the Western world has lost touch with....well, life. Are we really better off now that we all can expect to live to 75+? Are we happier than we were 200 years ago? 2000 Years ago? Does anything we do and experience have any real meaning and substance behind it?

Were we happier when life was about living day-to-day?

Management 101

I do not profess to be a management expert. And, no, I am not a HR professional. However I know common sense and I am amazed at how many companies do not use any when handling their employees.

A company's employees are its greatest asset yet so many organizations view their employees as disposable, something that is to be used up and thrown away when "no longer useful". Have these company's stopped to think that maybe the "usefulness" of the individual employees is linked to the way their employers treat them? That maybe, the employee would be a better producer if they just were given some slack and less stress?

I have worked for some very large companies and at least a couple of small, family owned businesses. I have worked for slave driving contractors, and for sales divisions I would only hear from once per quarter. Regardless of pay, the best companies have been those with a family like atmosphere where the employer understood the pressures of work and family and did not add to the stress.

So, for what it is worth, here are some suggestions:

1) Don't mess with paychecks. If an employee deserves a raise in pay then give it to them. If the employee just doesn't measure up, then let them go. People need stability in life and far too many of us live paycheck-to-paycheck. A cut in pay can be like a knife through the heart. This is unfair and unethical.

1A) Don't mess with benefits. (See item 1) If you hire an employee and are giving them a certain level of benefits DO NOT later shift the burden to the employee. If benefit costs increase then absorb them or pass them on to the customer. DO NOT make your employees make up the difference. This too is unfair and borderline unethical.

2) If an employee is sick then leave them alone! I am not suggesting that you look away when you have someone who is constantly taking sick leave. I am saying give the employee the peace of mind that they can relax and get well without fearing you. And, whatever you do, NEVER dock pay. Again, it would be better to just let them go.

3) Inclement weather happens. Don't blame your employees if they are not comfortable driving in snow or ice. I have always felt that if an employee doesn't want to drive then the world is better off if they don't. It is not necessary to make the individual feel any stress over the situation. They will get enough of that when they come in the next day and face those who did make it in.

4) Employees actually do have lives. The best thing an employer can do for an employee is be understanding. Many of us have kids. We have spouses. We have homes. We have cars. We need time away from work. Life is stressful enough. If their water heater springs a leak or if their car breaks down, WORK WITH THEM. Charging them a vacation day or docking their pay is just wrong!

I could go on and on and maybe I have rambled a bit. I suppose what I want to say is that I value those who work for me and I respect them as individuals. I want my employees to know that I understand that work is just a part of their lives and I appreciate the time they give me.

Thank you!