The information in today’s Advisor is from BLR’s 10-Minute HR Trainer session entitled "Balancing Employer and Employee Needs."
Present Employer Needs and Expectations to Employees
On one side of the employer/employee balance is the task of conveying employer needs and expectations to employees. Train managers to:
- Know and understand what the organization wants from supervisors and employees in terms of mission, goals, and plans.
- Learn as much as possible about organizational needs and expectations by:
- Attending meetings, workshops, and other programs.
- Reading handbooks and other organizational materials.
- Keeping up on E-mails, memos, and other updates.
- Discussing organizational issues with managers and peers.
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Communicate Employer Policies to Employees
In addition, train managers to communicate organizational policies and directions to employees. Here’s how they can do so:
- Be sure that all employees receive organizational information on policies, goals, instructions, benefits, etc.
- Require all employees to attend company and department briefings.
- Check that employees have received and read any printed or electronic materials.
- Review major issues and changes personally with employees.
- Meet with your own managers to clarify understanding of issues.
- Conduct formal employee meetings on significant issues with direct impact on employees (e.g., relocations, new equipment or safety rules, etc.)
- Conduct informal meetings to encourage questions and discussion of controversial or troubling issues (e.g., layoffs, mergers).
- Relate organizational goals and policies to employees’ jobs and prospects.
- Help employees see the “big picture” with regard to marketing, competition, economic issues, etc.
- Make sure they know how their work contributes to the organization’s success and/or survival.
- Be positive but realistic about organizational changes and directives.
- Explain the potential gains for the organization and employees.
- Don’t sugarcoat problems.
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Avoid Potential Conflicts Between Employers and Employees
In addition, managers need to know how to try to resolve conflicts between employee and employer needs. Train managers to:
- Know organizational resource policies and limits.
- Remind employees of current situations and future prospects.
- Keep salary and raise expectations in line with available funds.
- Use your budget in ways employees care about (e.g., equipment upgrades, raises).
- Identify and use nonfinancial motivators (e.g., training, time off).
- Create a cooperative climate where employees support each other.
In tomorrow’s Advisor, we’ll look at training managers to handle the employee-to-employer half of the balancing act–plus examine a valuable online training resource for managers and supervisors.