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workers you already have, Call 800-743-1000
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Optimize the workers you already have
You’ve got a well trained, willing work force, but are you giving them what
they need to do the best possible job? Optimize their productivity by making
small investments in the work environment. The ergonomic equipment
shown here is easy to integrate into most processes paying
immediate dividends by making work faster, safer and easier.
We could do a lot more
...but we could use a little help
Manufacturing Stacking &
public-speaking training and management coaching for top-perform-ing employees. Companies can also
invest in their employees’ development through professional associations’ training programs.
Furthermore, managers have to
give feedback to young hires on a
regular basis. Unfortunately, many
employees only learn how well or
poorly they are performing during
their annual performance reviews.
Such evaluations can be a very useful
tool, but providing constant feed-
back to employees, and most impor-
tantly new employees, is essential to
view of the work environment before
they enter the work force. Through tours
of companies, internship opportunities,
and discussions in class, students can
learn about the working environment
in different industries. For example, in
many manufacturing roles, attire may be
casual but compliance with attendance
and safety requirements is strict. In many
corporate positions, however, there are
dress and communication standards that
employees must adhere to if they want to
be taken seriously. While college is a time
for self-expression, there are many jobs
where compliance with rules regarding
dress and behavior is important.
Employers must clearly communicate their expectations about how much
time employees must work and when.
However, it’s likely that more employers
could allow employees some flexibility
regarding work hours, instead of insisting that all work be performed during
set times on specified days. For example, operational support and supervision,
especially for manufacturing plant and
warehouse shifts, do require set working
hours, but many technology-focused jobs
do not require someone to be at a desk for
40 hours a week.
At the same time, young employees
must be respectful of the schedules their
employers expect them to work, and they
should be responsible and productive
during those hours. If employees want
flexibility, then they will have to demonstrate that they can handle it by working diligently and not spending time on
Facebook and Twitter or surfing the Web.
THE RIGHT KIND OF FEEDBACK
Expectations would also be better managed if employers and employees were
more open and honest in the feedback
they are giving. Managers need to be
candid about an individual employee’s
opportunities for advancement, and
they should give an honest assessment
of what is required for that employee to
be considered for higher-level positions.
To prepare employees for those future
positions, moreover, employers also need
to be willing to help them develop the
required capabilities. One of my previous employers, for instance, invested in
