Dear Orange County CEO:
I hope 2017 is wrapping up for you and your company in a profitable manner. While you’re putting the final touches on next year’s budget, let me share a slice of wisdom from the worker bees performing the daily miracle at Orange County’s top workplaces, as selected by the staffing gurus at Energage.
Part of the analysis done to choose the Top Workplaces 2017 winners is a survey of employees on various workplace issues. Please note, the approval ratings for the 21 questions that have been consistently asked since 2014 are positive again this year. But these results have shown a declining level of satisfaction in the past three years in all but one category. And remember, that growing discontent comes from staffs at the best places to work around the county.
Thanks to my trusty spreadsheet, I’ve uncovered seven critical areas where workers are feeling declining satisfaction.
And the most notable one is a slow sea change from the heavy layoff days of recessionary times: A renewed willingness of your staff to look at other employers for new opportunities.
That’s not totaling surprising considering today’s high demand – and tight supply – for highly skilled, experienced workers. Plus, as is sadly the norm, many workers can often get a significant pay raise by joining a competitor.
Look, government data shows workers in Western states have been quitting their jobs over the past two years at a pace not seen since the first half of the 2000s.
So, dear CEO, to limit that risk for your operation, here are six top managerial challenges and worker annoyances found in Orange County’s best workplaces … (And it’s a good bet these headaches are only more intense in less-beloved operations.)
1. Clueless managers: Perhaps it’s time for managers to stop worrying about every decimal point of profit margin and start thinking about how to better motivate and nurture workers. That probably starts with getting the ranking executives out of a full slate of meetings and putting them into the places where the real work is done – whether that’s in the field, at the factory or in the cubicle farms.
2. Negativity: Sadly, being angry is a national obsession these days. But the best managers know that and actively fight the too-easy-to-join corporate pity parties. No company needs a full-time cheerleader, rather workers yearn for authenticity and honesty. Making sure the internal discussions are not simply critiques of recent work is critical to restore happiness.
3. Lame benefits: The cost to employers for traditional workplace benefits is up and much of that higher expense has been passed onto the workforce. Your staff understands that a bit but the annual your-benefits-will-cost-more (and/or cover less) letter gets tiresome. Hopefully, your 2018 budget will somehow address this critical workplace beef. Note: Benefits get the lowest satisfaction score at even the top workplaces.
4. No new thinking: Innovation can be a funny thing. When businesses are financially struggling they are often open to change. Now that we’ve had several years of relatively smooth sailing for the business climate, workers are noticing a don’t-rock-the-boat mentality. Remember, you can’t cut your way to success! Make sure that even in flush times, the new product – and new methodology – pipeline is stocked with great ideas. It’s good for business … and morale.
5. No confidence in the boss: Maybe it goes with the overall negativity, but workers are noticing the top boss seems out of touch. In too many workplaces, CEO appears to mean “Chief Expensive Officer” rather than a true leader. Yes, it’s still needed in struggling industries … but almost everywhere? This challenge can be simple to fix because in many situations it only takes one person to have an attitudinal retooling.
6. Unfair pay: Key word here is “unfair” because everyone wants a raise. Workers are feeling they are not being adequately compensated for their comparative value to the company. And one thing they’re noticing – see above, please – is that many of their peers and pals are getting better pay by getting a new job. Considering the significant pay hikes seen across many industries and across the region, I hope your 2018 budget is prepared to make sure that at least your top performers are fairly compensated.
May the trends be with you!
Jon
