Are your employees chronic complainers? Is every meeting bombarded with complaints about other departments, clients, or another area of your business?
That could be a problem.
But, a little complaining from time to time, when in the proper element, can be beneficial. No one is happy all the time, and everyday frustrations can build up to a point where you just need to gripe a little.
A recent news story discusses a legal ruling in New York State about employees who were dismissed from a non-profit organization after complaining about their employer on Facebook. The judge ruled that the five employees must be hired back by the organization.
What can employers learn from this story? Maybe sometimes it’s best to let people be…people. We all need to blow off steam sometimes! And to prevent a legal blowup like the one in New York, here are some tips to help you provide a less stressful environment for your employees:
- Encourage team lunches. Believe it or not, employees tend to gripe when they are in groups. And that can be a good thing! Often, minor gripes turn into constructive conversations about how to improve your business. And if your team is eating their lunches at their desks, they are not having these conversations, they’re burning out! Make it easy for your employees to get out for lunch once in awhile (without bosses!). They’ll come back refreshed for the afternoon, and might even have some great ideas for your business.
- Stay off of social media. Not overall, of course (we know that many people live and breathe Facebook and Twitter!). But, you should avoid connecting with your employees or coworkers on sites like Facebook and Twitter, if you can. That way, you won’t have to constantly worry if your posts are misinterpreted, and you also won’t be tempted to let your mind run amok if one of your employees posts something derogatory. If the social situation in your office makes it impossible not to connect with your employees, then use your privacy settings. You can prevent any group of people from seeing your pictures, posts or comments – put those privacy settings to use!
- Ask for feedback. Sometimes the simplest way to prevent unhappy employees is to ask them how you could be doing things better. Consistently ask your team for feedback on how things are going, and you may be pleasantly surprised at the growth and productivity increase. Employees who feel connected to the “big picture” tend to work harder, and if they feel their concerns are being met, they’re far less likely to complain about work.
Need to add to your team?
At CornerStone Staffing, we can find a talented professional to make an immediate impact on your organization. Contact one of our recruiters today to learn more!
