Five myths that can undermine the workplace
No company or boss wants a workforce that is ineffective and unable to compete. But how does a company or a manager go about ensuring that this type of culture prevails. Research seems to show that companies need to set up programs to help support workers in their attempts to meet their goals at work and at home. Companies that set up these types of programs often see great results like reducing previously rampant absenteeism and healthcare costs and developing a highly motivated and productive workforce.
Recent studies have shown that nearly all workers feel overwhelmed by the demands of their home lives and work lives. Another study showed that companies that demanded long hours often suffered from high levels of absenteeism and turnover. Unfortunately, many companies and managers operate with the attitude that their workers are living in the 1950s. These attitudes are based on some basic myths that can and are destroying healthy workplaces.
Five myths that are undermining the workplace follow:
- Work long hours and you will be rewarded by your workplace - even if your attitude slips and your family falls into disorder.
The truth is that researchers have found that most companies do not reward long hours. Companies just tend to take the workers who put the extra hours in for granted and rarely offer them anything for the extra effort.
- People who have children work fewer hours.
Research shows that there is no correlation between hours worked and the number or ages of children employees have.
- Having family friendly policies in place will resolve work-life balance issues.
Having the policies alone does not seem to solve the problems. For instance, just because a company offers flextime, does not mean that an employee will work fewer hours. It may in fact make it easier for the employee to work more hours. Good management along with the policies is required. Another problem often found was that companies had worker friendly policies but workers feared they would be punished if they actually used them.
- Long work hours have little effect on people’s personal lives, and long work hours boost the bottom line.
Both of these assumptions are false. If a workforce is unmotivated and worn out and angry at the company, it’s doubtful that that company is using its human resource potential. Employees need to feel good to be able to give their best during the workday.
- The workplace and bad workplace expectations are not creating the stress.
The truth is if employees get the message that working long hours means being viewed as a productive employee, you’ll probably find a lot of employees working unnecessary hours. Companies need to take a look at actual accomplishments and task completion, rather than just hours present.
Adapted from the Human Resources Development Canada Web site