Treat Workers Well, and They'll Produce

Q.As a small-business owner and entrepreneur, it took me a whileto realize that I could not do everything myself and that I had tohire additional employees in order to expand. Training the newemployees and turning over business that I developed takes atremendous amount of time and sacrifice, but is worth it once theycan take on some of the responsibility. Now the most difficult partof our growth is finding and keeping trustworthy and dedicatedemployees.

I have been fortunate to have a few wonderful employees whohave been with me from the start. If it weren't for them, I think Iwould have lost faith in the possibility that loyal employees stillexist. I fired two employees because they were stealing from me.

I wonder how other growing companies find new employees theycan feel comfortable with. Where has honor and loyalty gone inbusiness today? Disillusioned

SUE SAYS. You are not alone. Research by Challenger, Gray &Christmas, an international outplacement firm, found that one of thebiggest problems employers face is a shortage of employees with agood work ethic and loyalty.

But it may be unrealistic to expect workers to be loyal ifthe employer doesn't reward loyalty. The spate of mergers,re-engineering and downsizing has weakened the ties that spuremployee commitment and productivity.

The growing number of workers being laid off two and three timesis a disturbing phenomenon that can have many damaging effects on theworkplace.

The companies that elicit the most loyalty are the ones that goout of the way to treat employees well and create an environmentwhere employees want to stay. This includes recognizing individualsfor their contributions and rewarding them monetarily. There aremany employees who long for a secure job environment and anopportunity to grow.

Readers, what are your experiences? If you are an employer,what advice do you have for "Disillusioned?" If you are an employee,what determines your loyalty? Let me hear from you and I willaddress this in a future column.

Q. Every year my company spends an enormous amount of money on alavish holiday party. In my opinion, the party is a big waste oftime and money. I would much rather have the cash and stay home.Must I attend? Homebody

SUE SAYS. Yes. Many companies hold holiday parties as a way ofshowing appreciation to their employees. It can be a celebration ofanother successful year, or a way to bring employees and theirfamilies together outside of the workplace. By attending, you showyou have company spirit. If you don't attend, you undoubtedly will be asked why, and otherthan illness or an emergency, I can't think of a reason that wouldshine favorably on you. Though you would prefer the cash, it isn'tbeing offered, so try to have a good time.

Sue Morem, a consultant on workplace and motivational issues,appears each Monday in the Sun-Times. Have a question, opinion or asuggestion for Sue? Write to: Sue Morem, P.O. Box 41115,Minneapolis, Minn. 55441. Call her Sun-Times message line, (312)321-2853; fax her at (612) 540-9475, or send her e-mail atMZBIZNIZ@aol.com.