You’ve heard this from your employer: ‘People are our greatest asset!’ OK.
What happens to employees or contractors, when there’s market turmoil and uncertainty? What happens when companies treat employees like LIFO inventory – last in, first out? We become cynical.
So, the question that will confront many companies is: ‘Do we want happy employees and do they really matter in our business?’ I truly hope that they do. I hope that they believe that employees are the organization’s most important asset. But…
People being a company’s most important asset seems to be forgotten by companies in the drive for bottom-line efficiency and effectiveness. Some say organizations are now dysfunctional. Senior management wants employees to be enthusiastic, inspirational, and high performing. Unfortunately, the opposite sometimes occurs. More people feel disempowered and disenfranchised, especially after rounds of continual change. Companies want their employees to engage, anticipate, manage, and develop an appetite for change. This is difficult when we were hired, trained, remunerated, promoted, and nurtured to be obedient and risk averse.
The interests of employees and employers seem to be more divergent than at any time is the last 50 years. Each has self interests. The company wants to maximize profits. You and I want a solid, dependable, and livable income. What to do?
Life Lesson Earned: Unfortunately, the interests of the company and the individual are less aligned than ever. The bigger the difference, the harder time you’ll have coping. If you’re a contractor, you can make the decision with your feet. You can leave. But, what does the long-term employee do?