Employers, Please Show Some Respect

respect – a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word, ‘respect.’ What it means, how it makes people feel, and what the ramifications are when people don’t feel it for themselves and when people don’t show it to others. A lack of respect damages the very core of a team’s function and only hurts work culture. So, in an effort to increase respect in the workplace, here are three ways that employers can be more respectful:

1. Start with empathy.

I’m a big believer in empathy and that it will always positively impact any workplace. Below is a short video from Brené Brown on empathy that every leader can learn from. We all need to be reminded to go where others are in life with them, rather than just watching them go through life from afar. This is the foundation of any respectful relationship. Living life together works better with empathy.

2. Communicate thoroughly.

Employees hate being left in the dark, and when employers and management don’t communicate thoroughly, people are left guessing as to where they stand. People want and need to know what they are doing well and where they can improve, so they can find more fulfillment in their job and contribute more to their team. As for employees, learn to communicate not only to your peers, but also to your bosses, so that they know that you are enjoying your work and where things need to improve. Stop waiting for quarterly reviews for communication to take place; it needs to happen more than four times per year. Regular communication is necessary, both from employers and employees. Know what you want to say, communicate it effectively, listen for feedback, allow time for dialogue, and move on as a better team for putting the effort into communicating in your workplace.

3. Pay a fair wage.

Another way that employers can show respect is by paying a wage that employees can comfortably live on. Of course, this means that employers should pay a fair wage based on the job that an employee performs, but when we see that 51% of all American workers make less than $30,000 a year, we know that there’s an issue that needs to be addressed. This statistic includes people with and without degrees, because of course, there’s not a guaranteed job, even with a college degree. And not only this, but at the same time people are creating more personal debt with higher school loans and credit cards to pay for expenses in the meantime. All of this being said, we need to fix the wage gap, and hopefully we see a solution sooner rather than later. And who knows? If companies will pay people more, their employees may do a better job, and in return will create a better environment for their customers.

51% of all American workers make less than $30,000 a year. Click To Tweet

Do these three things and begin creating an environment of respect in your workplace.