Has the Workplace failed the Workers?

Lately I have been finding myself asking this question, “Has the Workplace failed the worker?” Many workplaces are struggling to maintain an engaged workforce. High employee turnover and low productivity are symptoms of a broken system across all industries in both public and private sectors. A high percentage of employees’ report dissatisfaction with their workplace and this has been strongly represented in the great resignation we saw during the pandemic.

From my own years sitting in cubicles and then as a management leader, I have seen first hand the frustration and resignation of so many talented individuals who fought to be heard and floundered without support.

What is the workplace doing wrong?

Poor management lies at the crux of all this. Poor management practices that result in little or no management strategies leave employees ill-prepared and isolated, to over management strategies leaving employees voiceless and hobbled unable to perform. I have heard many reports from skilled workers dedicated to their craft having to leave their workplace simply because the employer failed to keep them safe. Safe from discrimination, safe from harassment, safe from physical threat and violence. A safe workplace is the minimal requirement that an employer is obligated to provide. Many employers are failing to do that.

With so many people expressing their distrust of today’s workplace and taken action against it; it does present a tremendous opportunity to change the tide.

Employers who embrace this opportunity will find themselves empowered to effectively address ongoing problems with recruitment and retention by valuing employee feedback and implementing a suite of polices and standard operating procedures that enable their workforce to excel in their respective positions and find purpose and fulfillment in their work.

These changes will work to lower employer costs and improve their quality of services offered to their clients by having a team that actively supports the work that they do.

Employers who understand and embrace the position of an employee focused workplace instead of a profit focused workplace will over the long term enjoy more profitability; not only in terms of dollars but in relationships with customers and workplace health and safety.

There are many new and dynamic resources available to employers; many born out of workplace frustrations, that offer a wide range of solutions and formats to choose from. Employers can benefit from engaging in experience inspired training fundamentals.

A good example of this is the 3 Pillars of Communication Program which is designed to identify the problems in the unique workplace, build a solution involving the whole team and support its implementation.

An investment in the safety and well-being of employees is one that is bound to provide a good return.