Article by Sumeshnee Reddy
Employees are a company's richest resource. Without good, loyal and hardworking staff, a company will not reach its highest potential. If we treat employees unfairly, the truth is that they will leave and find better employment. Bill Hybels once, so wisely, said: "People leave managers, not companies”.
Let us briefly look at five ways in which employers and managers can create an environment that induces an employee to leave the organisation.
1)Don't show appreciation for your staff
Saying thank you really goes a long way, as simple as it may seem. People want to feel as if their work is making a difference in growing the organisation. Notes of appreciation, a simple email or a reward of some sort can really make your staff feel valued.
2)Don't make time to listen to their concerns:
Being dismissive of people's concerns or ideas, may take you down the road to losing top performing people. Usually people do want to help the organisation grow, and some come up with passionate ideas. Constantly shooting down their concerns or making it sound as if it lacks importance, may start to make an employee feel unappreciated. (See point one)
3)Be cold and uncaring toward them and their co-workers:
Here is a huge red flag, if there ever was one. The people who work for you are humans, not robots. They have personal struggles, dreams, hopes, and families. The best type of boss is one who personally knows things about you, your kids' names and what you enjoy amongst other things. Knowing that your employer cares is a huge motivation to keep doing your best. This keeps employees loyal and will think twice about leaving the organisation, if the element of relationship is there.
4)The "usual” issues (underpay them, harass them etc...)
This will get a good person out of your organisation faster than anything else. Many organisations underpay very good employees. They believe that these people won't have anywhere else to go; that is until those people actually leave.
5)Be dishonest
Integrity is important. If your employees see you bending the rules, cooking the books, or even entertaining little white lies, it is a sure way to impact their impression of you. Don't think they don't notice, because they do.
References:
1)Paul Morris, How to lose a great employee in 10 ways, 2014, Online
Accessed on: 22/06/2015