What the boss thinks (continued)…

Posted by admin on February 5, 2009 in Jobs

The fundamental tension between employer and employee can be characterized as the latter desiring the greatest benefit for the least effort and the former wanting greatest effort for least benefit. On some level that describes the relationship between any two people; in the job context, however, one party possesses most of the monetary leverage changing the negotiating playing field somewhat.

Having said that, during the good times, given the scare supply of good employees, the employer’s leverage is lessened significantly and the workplace has to cater to the needs of the employee. During the bad times, the employer’s leverage, whether for good or bad, tilts back in its favor. The last 5 years has been a boon to the employees; cover stories have been devoted to workplaces changing to meet of its workers especially those in Generation Y.

But as we move into down times, to quote Star Wars, the Empire Strikes Back and the employer regains its leverage. Nonetheless, there appears to be, from antidotal evidence, a reluctance or ignorance by some employees to recognize this shift. Yes, certainly layoffs would be a tell-tale sign that a shift has occurred but behavior modification tends only to occur when the danger is near and present but its often what your boss doesn’t say that is worse than what they do say to you.

Yes, it’s true. Bosses talk/complain about their employees to other bosses. Before getting down to business in a recent conference call, the observation was made between several bosses (including myself) that some employees know that the times are tough but instead of bearing down and working hard or trying to contribute to the success of the business, bad employees are shutting down. They don’t communicate. They act scared (bosses are scared too). They try to hide. But this actually makes them targets since good employees are doing the opposite- they are trying to help, be proactive and generally care.

No one likes what the economy is doing to our workplaces. Most fundamentally decent people hate to let go of their employees. It is a terrible job. Having had to let people go before, you anguish over it. But, if you are an employee, don’t put a target on your back. Please try to think of the following:

Its actually not about you (or pretend it isn’t): Someone asked their boss for a raise and the reason they gave was that they wanted to travel this summer (true story, I am not making this up). Instead of pitching the raise as recognition for hard work and dedication (more “this is what I am doing for you” factors), they made it about themselves.
We are all being asked to do many jobs now. Ask for help rather than remain silent. This has happened to me. Give someone an assignment they have not done. Instead of coming back and asking for direction or help, they didn’t do the assignment. Bosses are not always the most communicative of people (guilty) but better they think they need to help you than thinking you are doing nothing on the assignment.
Think of ways to help and ask how things are generally. Attitude goes very far in the workplace. You get to some level in a workplace and competence between peers becomes very small. It becomes a difference of soft skills- are you liked, can you inspire, do you actually care? Be proactive and positive in the workplace. It may mean you are not in the next round of layoffs.

We all have had terrible bosses or worked in terrible workplaces in our lives. Even doing the above may not help you but workplaces can tolerate bad to mediocre employees in good times. In bad times, most rational bosses do anything to keep their top performers and get rid of the bad apples quickly; these are the easy decisions to make. So, please don’t help the decision easier by putting a target on your back.

If you are wondering why the title of this post is a “continued” is because I first posted with what the boss thinks last year.