Sometimes I wonder if employees really know what their bosses are thinking. Being a boss myself for over 15 years, I have heard a zillion excuses for everything work related, and I certainly have my own thoughts and opinions about what is really going on. I do try to be somewhat empathetic and I am quite patient, but sometimes I can’t help but think certain things when I hear what sound like lame excuses. So, I thought it’d be entertaining to write about some of the standard excuses bosses hear from their employees, and what the bosses are really thinking.
When an employee calls in sick, especially after a long weekend, the boss says, “hope you feel better tomorrow”, but really thinks, “Ya right, hung over? You better show up tomorrow”. When the employee says, “I am stuck in traffic, got a flat tire, car wouldn’t start”, the boss says, “OK, hurry up”, but means, “Ugh, woke up late again? Get your act together and get in here.” How about when the employee says, “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment” or even worse, “I got into a car accident”, both synonymous with “I am going for an interview today”. Or how about when the employee says they “don’t have enough time to do their job and need overtime”. Ok, sometimes that can be true, as some workplaces are swamped. But, often the employees have taken extensive breaks, checking personal emails, texting, and updating their Facebook statuses all during work hours, then complain about not having enough time!
Bosses get really good at seeing through lies and excuses. Yes, sometimes you really do have a doctor’s appointment, get into a car accident, or catch the flu over a long weekend, but more often than not, these are used as excuses and bosses aren’t buying it.
I have written many articles on how to ask for a raise, but when the employee says, “I need a raise”, the boss is thinking, “What are you doing that deserves a raise? Tell me, show me, and prove to me why you’ve earned a raise.” But the boss may say, “Let me look at the budget”. And of course, my favourite employee conversation is , “I quit” says the employee, leading the boss to think one of a few things, either “I knew it”, “Thank goodness”, or “Oh man, I just spent a fortune on training you, paying out your benefits, or giving you bonuses”, but instead will say, “I wish you the very best”!
Of course, there are also more positive conversations that take place between employees and bosses, so let’s end with a couple of those. When the employee says, “I can do that for you”, the boss is thinking, “Really? You can? Awesome, I will be very happy if you do successfully take this off my plate.” Or even better, when the employee says, “I love my job”, sincerely not sarcastically, the boss thinks, “Really? Phew! I hate hiring”.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Employees are on the move as employment market heats up!
After a recession comes turnover! Employees who waited until the recession was over to start looking for a change are now starting their job search. Those who have been stressed, treated poorly, underpaid, or overworked are seizing the opportunity to get into a new career as the job market heats up. I don’t think there is a story or reason why an employee chooses to leave their employer that I have not heard in my 22 years in this industry! And most the reasons are very common. Employers, read on; if you do not want a lot of turnover as the job market tightens, you better be sure you know what is going on with your employees. And for employees, read on also, as you will relate.
One of the most common reasons employees leave their jobs is that the job is not what they thought it was going to be when the were first hired. Often the boss will attempt to write a job description and sell a candidate on the job without really knowing the reality of the job! Another common reason for quitting is that the job doesn’t connect with the employee’s skills or interests. This just means that the interview process was not in-depth enough to determine that. Lack of communication or feedback is another popular reason for quitting. At my staffing agency, we often hear about employees who have never had critical feedback or a performance review, ever. But the most common reason we hear from employees as to why they quit their jobs, is that they do not feel valued or recognized for their efforts. Sometimes this takes a little time to push them over the edge, but eventually employees will leave for this reason.
Stress leaves and employees quitting because of stress is also a major issue for all businesses that cut back during the recession. What many employers do not realize is that stress levels cannot remain constant; there must be some reprieve for people. Short term stress is manageable, but years of constant stress forces people to breakdown and take a leave or quit. I can’t even count the number of times I have heard “I can’t take it anymore” by employees! Jobs are just not worth that kind of ongoing agony. During the recession, when there were little to no jobs available, many employees hung on to their jobs, worked overtime and took pay cuts, because they had to put food on the table. Now there are choices, so the employees who have had enough are walking.
Lastly, a lack of trust in the leader is one of the least discussed reasons, yet is one of the top reasons for employees leaving. If you look at all the reasons given, the common thread is related to the boss. Whether an employee comes right out and says it or not, the boss is usually behind the reasons for people quitting their jobs.
Pay attention bosses; do you know how your employees are feeling? Or are you going to lose them in a hot job market?
One of the most common reasons employees leave their jobs is that the job is not what they thought it was going to be when the were first hired. Often the boss will attempt to write a job description and sell a candidate on the job without really knowing the reality of the job! Another common reason for quitting is that the job doesn’t connect with the employee’s skills or interests. This just means that the interview process was not in-depth enough to determine that. Lack of communication or feedback is another popular reason for quitting. At my staffing agency, we often hear about employees who have never had critical feedback or a performance review, ever. But the most common reason we hear from employees as to why they quit their jobs, is that they do not feel valued or recognized for their efforts. Sometimes this takes a little time to push them over the edge, but eventually employees will leave for this reason.
Stress leaves and employees quitting because of stress is also a major issue for all businesses that cut back during the recession. What many employers do not realize is that stress levels cannot remain constant; there must be some reprieve for people. Short term stress is manageable, but years of constant stress forces people to breakdown and take a leave or quit. I can’t even count the number of times I have heard “I can’t take it anymore” by employees! Jobs are just not worth that kind of ongoing agony. During the recession, when there were little to no jobs available, many employees hung on to their jobs, worked overtime and took pay cuts, because they had to put food on the table. Now there are choices, so the employees who have had enough are walking.
Lastly, a lack of trust in the leader is one of the least discussed reasons, yet is one of the top reasons for employees leaving. If you look at all the reasons given, the common thread is related to the boss. Whether an employee comes right out and says it or not, the boss is usually behind the reasons for people quitting their jobs.
Pay attention bosses; do you know how your employees are feeling? Or are you going to lose them in a hot job market?
Thursday, August 4, 2011
The early bird gets the work
Many candidates are waiting for the summer to be over before they start or resume their job search. Many employers are also waiting until the candidate market opens up in September, thinking that there will be tons of employee choices in the fall, similar to 2009 and 2010. Well, we’ve got another thing coming.
The economic outlook for Alberta is forecasting for a very busy September, and a job boom is expected this fall, with a shortage of qualified candidates. I believe that the smartest candidates will start looking for work now, ahead of their competition.
The flurry of activity expected for September will send shock waves through our communities. Employers believe they will have a multitude of choices, but they won’t. Instead, many employers will find themselves settling for anyone, just like they did prior to 2008. Good candidates will have their pick of juicy jobs, and yes, there will be more competition in September, when all the people who waited until summer vacations are over to start their job search flood the market. But the smartest employers are beginning the hiring process now. Anyone who reads the economic reports can see what is coming. Employers who are afraid of the September hiring rush should look at being proactive and begin the interview process now, choosing from potential candidates with the most initiative.
Usually candidates flood the market in September, because no one wants to change jobs during summer vacation season when the weather is hot and kids are out of school. But this year, employers will not have the luxury of choosing to hire from a large pool of qualified candidates, because the numbers just won’t add up. The flood of qualified job seekers will instead be a trickling stream, as the best get snapped up quicker than they have in over two years. The hottest employers will be able to compete, with added benefits, flex time, options, and higher wages (hello Oil and Gas), but the rest of the employers who cannot compete with lush industries will have to compromise or offer a truly exceptional workplace.
The early bird gets the work; the choices will start in August, not September. We all know another boom is coming for Alberta, but those job seekers and employers who take action before the expected rush will win the game. The fall is an awesome time of change and we have seen this cycle before, many times over. But, instead of waiting until the leaves change colour and panic sets in, start the process early this time and come out ahead!
The economic outlook for Alberta is forecasting for a very busy September, and a job boom is expected this fall, with a shortage of qualified candidates. I believe that the smartest candidates will start looking for work now, ahead of their competition.
The flurry of activity expected for September will send shock waves through our communities. Employers believe they will have a multitude of choices, but they won’t. Instead, many employers will find themselves settling for anyone, just like they did prior to 2008. Good candidates will have their pick of juicy jobs, and yes, there will be more competition in September, when all the people who waited until summer vacations are over to start their job search flood the market. But the smartest employers are beginning the hiring process now. Anyone who reads the economic reports can see what is coming. Employers who are afraid of the September hiring rush should look at being proactive and begin the interview process now, choosing from potential candidates with the most initiative.
Usually candidates flood the market in September, because no one wants to change jobs during summer vacation season when the weather is hot and kids are out of school. But this year, employers will not have the luxury of choosing to hire from a large pool of qualified candidates, because the numbers just won’t add up. The flood of qualified job seekers will instead be a trickling stream, as the best get snapped up quicker than they have in over two years. The hottest employers will be able to compete, with added benefits, flex time, options, and higher wages (hello Oil and Gas), but the rest of the employers who cannot compete with lush industries will have to compromise or offer a truly exceptional workplace.
The early bird gets the work; the choices will start in August, not September. We all know another boom is coming for Alberta, but those job seekers and employers who take action before the expected rush will win the game. The fall is an awesome time of change and we have seen this cycle before, many times over. But, instead of waiting until the leaves change colour and panic sets in, start the process early this time and come out ahead!
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