How do you relate?
Some employers complain to me that they can’t understand why their employees don’t stay very long considering the fact that they are treated “just like members of the family.” Sometimes employees complain to me that they never see their boss except when they have done something wrong and are never appreciated for what they do. Both of these extremes describe employers who do not understand the employer/employee relationship. The employer/employee relationship is not like any other relationship, but has similarities to lots of relationships.
Employees are not family members. To become family members they would need to take on your lifestyle. If you don’t give employees the freedom to live their lives as they choose, especially when they are not on the job, they will feel trapped and are likely to leave. Employees are also not really friends despite the fact that you may have a friendly relationship. Friends don’t make final decisions for other friends. As an employer you are the one that makes the final decisions. Give and take in the relationship is appropriate, but there will be times when you will need to be definite and final about decisions and cut off any debate. Employees are also not suppliers of goods and services. The relationship includes some of the same elements found in your relationship with the people at the feed store, but the relationship is more important and more personal. Employees are also not slaves. A paycheck does not give you the right to run rough shod over the people who work for you. If you do, you are likely to have lots of turnover.
Excessive turnover kills businesses. Good employee relationships make businesses successful. To build good employee relationships take an interest in your employee’s goals and listen to their concerns, but keeping yourself at “arms length.” Provide praise and encouragement, but don’t expect unquestioned loyalty. Listen to suggestions, but don’t let employees make decisions you are not comfortable with. When possible, help employees meet their goals, but don’t sacrifice good business practice to the cause. Don’t try to mediate personal problems between employees, encourage them to work things out on their own. Encourage mutual respect and explain how each employee’s job contributes to the over all success of your operation. Good employee relationships take time and effort, but the time and effort will pay off in your bottom line.
