How Employee Work Perception Predicts Company Success
December 23rd, 2010Incredible but true: how employees perceive their employer really can predict a company’s success in the marketplace.
A study conducted by Gallup, Inc. and presented in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, reports that workers’ perceptions about their job is a predictor of their firm’s performance.
This study was based on research that studied employee retention and satisfaction surveys, customer loyalty and the financial records of more than 2,000 business units within 10 companies (in the retail, manufacturing and sales sectors). Researchers found that employees harboring favorable opinions about their jobs correlated with positive outcomes for their firms. With higher opinions about the jobs, researchers found improved employee retention, greater customer loyalty and better financial performance.
What can this mean for your company? How employees feel about their jobs influences the bottom line! Sounds like the old “what goes around comes around.”
What does it mean to treat your employees well? People want to work where they have some “say” about how the job is done and where they are treated with respect and kindness.
Some suggestions:
- Ask for employee input on matters that have a direct impact on them.
- Ask your workers for ideas on how your firm could do things better. You’re certain to find some real gems in the suggestions they offer and recognize the contribution.
- Be sure your workers know how they affect your company’s success. At orientation, let your new hires know what their work actually does for your firm and how their efforts have a real influence on how well the entire company does. This helps people feel they are part of something bigger than themselves, that they are working with their colleagues toward a common goal.
- Be upfront about expectations from the start. Set clear guidelines regarding what you expect about the following: start and end times, breaks, taking time off for doctors’ appointments for the employee and family members and other important errands that usually can only be completed during the work day, and so on.
- Create a pleasant working environment. Is your equipment up to date? Is your facility safe, secure and clean? Do your workers have all the tools they need to perform their jobs?
- Recognize employees for jobs well done. Employee-of-the-month programs are great. Supervisors should thank employees for a job well done. Appreciation can go a long way in generating positive feelings about their work.
An interesting finding from the study: Workers’ perception of their employer is more important than what a company actually does. The saying rings true here: perception is your employees’ reality.
Med-Scribe, Inc. appreciates the contributions of the many people, both in the field and in the office, who have contributed to our reputation as an excellent employer. We are proud of the nurses, attorneys, physical and occupational therapists, and administrative staff we have had the privilege to work with. If you are seeking an employee or a position in healthcare, contact the leaders in medical staffing at Med-Scribe, Inc. We wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.
