The importance of creating a positive environment in the workplace

                To many employers they see an employee as a disposable asset to them. Someone who if they quit can easily be replaced by any other person off the street. Some industries require special skills or education, but honestly most people can learn and be trained just about anything these days. I find that employees in many cases take advantage of their employees and do not treat them as fairly as they should. Base pay simply is not enough to keep an employee happy these days. Employees have higher expectations today then 20 years ago in how a company needs to treat you and I completely agree.

                When you look at some of the top places to work for many have the same things in common: good benefits, vacation time, and most importantly a feeling of importance with a company. The workplaces are not boring offices with cubicles where they are required to dress up even though they do not see actual customers all day. Take Facebook for example. Their offices do not even have real desks. The employees can set up their workplace however they want. On one documentary I watched it had employees going around the office on a skateboard. I am not saying to let your employees run wild, but give them an environment that they want to come to each day. If there is no real need for them to dress up, then let them dress casual. If they want to decorate their workplace then let them. As long as it does not go against any corporate policies then it should not be a problem allowing this.

Some keys to creating a positive environment in the workplace:

·         Treat employees how they should be treated. Do not treat them as a disposable object. They are not a pen that can be easily replaced.

·         Do not put yourself or management above them. All employees should be treated fair regardless of seniority or pay grade.

·         Give employees some little extras. There are many ways to increase a positive workplace without spending money. Do potlucks, contests, and games to keep a high moral.

·         Give credit when credit is due. I am not saying to give out compliments, but if one is deserved then let give it. It is amazing how far a good word can go in the workplace.

                What does it really cost to hire a new employee? Most employers do not realize how much money actually goes into hiring and training a new employee. First, there is posting ads to get the word out that you are even hiring. You also need to pull time from other employees (and sometimes your own time) to interview and review applicants. Once you spend the time to hire you then need to take time to fully train the new employee. This requires pulling someone from their normal work to do this which can cost money in finding people to cover that time, or even overtime. There is also a time gap that comes into play before the new employee can work as efficient as the old employee which can mean a drop in production or quality (which is a form or profit loss).

                So employers, think about the cost involved in hiring and how such a little effort in raising a positive environment in the workplace is. Much of it is little or no extra cost to the company and turnover rate can account for a lot of potential profit loss in a company. Figure out how many people you have had to re-hire in the last 12 months and how much time and money it cost you to replace them. Now think of two-three things you could have done that would have prevented it from happening!