Why is it that so many employees are feeling such a lack of respect at their jobs lately?
And no, I’m not talking about me because my job is pretty much a moot point. Speaking of moot point, every time I use that term I think of this:
But I digress…
Anyways, everyone knows that the economy has sucked for the last few years. A lot of people have stayed in jobs that they’re not that happy about, because they feel lucky to even have a job.
In their minds, with so many people still out of work and on unemployment, it makes sense to put up with a crappy or simply unfulfilling situation. They tell themselves that it may be bad, toxic or disheartening at work, but at least they’re getting a paycheck.
Here’s the thing, I’ve noticed that a lot of companies are taking this for granted. Actually, they’re not only taking it for granted, they’re exploiting the opportunity.
Because there are a lot of people out there looking for jobs, it seems like many companies no longer value the employees they have. They’re replaceable, right? Their employees should be grateful that they even have a job! It’s like they’re trying to see how badly behaved they can be, because they know that the employee will just sit there and put up with it.
Many companies have discontinued or cut back their pay raises, benefits, annual holiday parties, gifts and random perks that made work a fun place to be. The worst part is that even if the employee is okay with not receiving a tchotchke (that immediately goes to Goodwill) they’re not okay with feeling the tone of lack of respect that has spread.
It’s like employers are trying to work each of their employees to the bone without giving them the positive reinforcement that everyone craves. Not bothering to say “thank you” for a job well done. Using the excuse of the economy to keep from giving a deserving employee a raise (even though the company is doing better than ever). Also unforgivable, is the “mean girls” in management who come out of hiding – how fun it will be to make a hard working employee hate every single hour at the office. Pathetic!
In the past couple months, I’ve probably heard from a dozen friends and acquaintances that are feeling used and abused in their jobs.
Nobody deserves to feel like they’re working so very hard for a company or manager that doesn’t even give them an ounce of RESPECT.
If this sounds familiar to you as a business owner, fix it NOW. The economy is starting to turn around and I can guarantee you that if your employees are not happy, their resumes will find their way out the door.
For you employees out there who are feeling as if you’re buried under a ton of work and not a teaspoon of respect, do something about it. Life is too short to be unhappy every workday.