Apart from the job scope itself, one factor that significantly influences how employees feel about work is the environment they work in. This is everything that forms part of an employees’ involvement with the work itself including their relationships with co-workers, supervisors and management; organisational culture; room for personal and career development, and how safe they feel.
A positive work environment makes employees feel good about coming to work, and this provides the motivation to sustain them throughout the day.
In days gone by, as companies grew in size, the importance of open communication or having a positive work environment in place was less apparent and the safety culture was a more of a chore which put a lot of workers at risk. Some companies were ruled by an iron fist and the priority was making money first. Respect was lost, staff turnover high and a sense of value to come to work absent. And of course, workplace injury and fatalities were too high.
Having open forms of communication addresses the employees’ need to feel that what they have to say has value and is taken seriously. It is what makes workers feel that they belong in the company. Work then becomes meaningful because the workers know that what they contribute affects the company that they are connected with.
It is essential for workers to be involved in the discussion of the company’s objectives and values from time to time during meetings, coaching, training days, retreats etc, to ensure that everyone knows what they’re working for other than their paychecks.
Health and Safety meetings should get everyone involved allowing them to share their views and perspectives on how to improve processes and reporting while achieving company objectives.
Such two-way open communication will eventually break down the hurdles present in many companies and organisations. At the end of it all, it promotes trust in day-to-day interactions between co-workers, as well as between workers and management.
There is mutual respect among all employees, regardless of their role or statuses.
This is when workers will not be afraid to suggest ideas to improve the health and safety practices, which benefits everyone in the company in return.
Additionally, when considering overall wellbeing of staff, if management understands that their staff’s individual personal needs it can positively develop the ideal sort of work/life balance. In general, having that sense of balance will improve job satisfaction among employees because they will feel that they are supported in the other areas of their lives that are, if not more, important to them than work.
A company we have been working with have shown significant improvement over the last six months in open communication and understand the concept work/life balance. At a recent Toolbox meeting the Managing Director was quoted as saying “Your balls are in my hand”. He knows that safety is ‘always’.
So at the end of the day, your people will want to come to work because they feel valued and integral to the business, and they feel safe.
Moana Grove, All About People Health and Safety Specialist