Employees not ‘happy just to have a job’ anymore: Here’s help
October 23, 2009 by Jared BilskiPosted in: Benchmarking, Communication tips, Efficiency, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest news & views, Management issues
A few months ago many employees were happy just to be employed. But like George Harrison sang, “All things must pass.”
The latest American Workplace Insights survey from Adecco found that employees’ satisfaction is falling to precipitous levels.
If you’re still operating under the assumption that employees understand how tough it is out there and are willing to make sacrifices, you may find some top performers walking right out the door soon.
The top reasons cited in the study for dissatisfaction among employees included salary, diminished employer 401(k) contributions and general unhappiness with the company’s retention efforts.
Check out the chart below for a detailed breakdown:
Even if the market is still preventing you from offering generous salary increases or bonuses, here are two things you can do to prevent employees from jumping ship:
Make retention efforts transparent. Most employers do everything they possibly can to retain top talent. Where they fall short: making sure employees are aware of all of their retention efforts.
Talk out salary decisions with staffers. If raises, bonuses, etc., aren’t an option right now, show employees why — and be as honest and detailed as possible in your explanation.
Tags: Adecco, American Workpalce Insights, Employee satisfaction, George Harrison, Retention, Salary
October 26th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
What business school did you go to??? Management telling the truth to employees? I’m guessing you passed with an F+. Next, you’ll tell me to tell the truth to government officials, the IRS, product compliance testers, the EPA about our particle emissions, the FDA about our verified drug trials (wink, wink) and tell the truth to the stockholders, chairpersons of the board, and our local preacher. How can you poke them in the butt AND swindle their money at the same time AND tell them the truth. PLEASE!
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Greg…well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine?! I am glad I don’t work with someone like you. I work for a non-for-profit trade association who has been greatly impacted by a decline in the building industry. Our company has been very upfront with the employees. Every staff person has seen the budget. Not all but most have seen the financials also. Our EO did have a staff wide meeting to explain the cuts (including but not limited to cuts in salary and the employer 401(k) match) and did offer other incentives to exhibit retention efforts. The EO’s honesty has been much appreciated and greatly respected among the staff, thus keeping us focused on trying to do a good job until this industry recovers.