How many people currently in the workforce are really engaged versus just waiting for quitting time or their next favorite part of the day, lunchtime? Research shows a large percentage of the workforce is disengaged and unhappy. What is the problem and is there a solution?
The truth of the matter is that many jobs are boring, routine, and not any fun, not just low-level jobs. Sometimes I think some people have unrealistic expectations about work. They think their job's purpose is to fulfill all their needs. Many jobs barely fulfill or even fail to fulfill the basic need of folks to simply earn a halfway decent living. I have yet to hear of an employer who expressed a concern whether a given position was exceeding an employee's expectations. The employer has a need and the employee is hired to fill that need. That's not to say there aren't satisfying jobs or at least moments of satisfaction, but simply that a job isn't there to fulfill all the employee's wants and desires. Some acceptance of this may go a ways toward feeling more fulfilled because one's expectations are then rooted in reality, not fantasy.
As employers, you can at least provide a safe work environment of decency, respect, challenge, opportunity, and appreciation. If you don't think that's the right thing to do in itself, understand high turnover and other problems will result from a contrary approach. Reward your excellent employees for their work, try to improve and encourage the performance of the less excellent but still good employees and winnow out the rest. Employers also need to understand that employees have many needs that don't encompass only working for them as their entire reason for being. Both sides can do better but expectations must be real. My belief is true happiness comes from a variety of sources in life that together create a satisfying tapestry. http://www.employmentlawman.com/monday-morning-musings.html
The truth of the matter is that many jobs are boring, routine, and not any fun, not just low-level jobs. Sometimes I think some people have unrealistic expectations about work. They think their job's purpose is to fulfill all their needs. Many jobs barely fulfill or even fail to fulfill the basic need of folks to simply earn a halfway decent living. I have yet to hear of an employer who expressed a concern whether a given position was exceeding an employee's expectations. The employer has a need and the employee is hired to fill that need. That's not to say there aren't satisfying jobs or at least moments of satisfaction, but simply that a job isn't there to fulfill all the employee's wants and desires. Some acceptance of this may go a ways toward feeling more fulfilled because one's expectations are then rooted in reality, not fantasy.
As employers, you can at least provide a safe work environment of decency, respect, challenge, opportunity, and appreciation. If you don't think that's the right thing to do in itself, understand high turnover and other problems will result from a contrary approach. Reward your excellent employees for their work, try to improve and encourage the performance of the less excellent but still good employees and winnow out the rest. Employers also need to understand that employees have many needs that don't encompass only working for them as their entire reason for being. Both sides can do better but expectations must be real. My belief is true happiness comes from a variety of sources in life that together create a satisfying tapestry. http://www.employmentlawman.com/monday-morning-musings.html
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