The Neighborhood Approach to Improving Employee Relations
The Neighborhood Approach to Improving Employee Relations
As care providers, it is crucial to have every member of the team working collaboratively to effectively drive results. Improving how employees interact with managers and peers alike will improve the quality of care provided to clients. Similar to members of a neighborhood, maintaining a positive community where employees feel at home will keep the staff focused and effective everyday. To build employee relations, it’s important to follow these neighborhood approaches:
1. Make new neighbors feel welcomed to the community
Just like a friendly neighbor might bake an apple pie for the new family on the corner, it is important for leaders to help new team members feel welcomed into their new workplace. Take the initiative to introduce new hires to each member of their team, invite them to lunch when possible, and make an effort to get to know them. Delegate employees to be responsible for relaying job-associated knowledge, such as the organization’s mission, vision, and culture to help assimilate employees on to the team.
2. Take a walk around the block
The Harvard Business Review identifies wellness programs for organizations that focus primarily on at-risk employees as the most cost effective technique to lower healthcare claims. Offering wellness programs helps support lifestyle management, leading to healthier and happier employees. Additionally, by catering specifically to employees suffering from critical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, and depression, you can decrease the likelihood of costly hospital visits. To increase the effectiveness of these programs, utilize a tailored system to track performance and provide incentives that reward employees on their personal successes.
3. Good fences build good neighbors
While it is essential for managers to be personable and approachable leaders, a defined boundary between professional and personal lives should be drawn. Keep in mind, what is humorous and entertaining for some employees, may be offensive or inappropriate to others. Staying connected to your team is crucial for retaining long-term employees. As leaders, exhibiting professional behavior, above all else, will help team members feel comfortable in their workspace.
4. Great neighbors build great cultures
Employee attitudes will ultimately decide the organization’s culture. Align the emotional energy of your team by developing positive behaviors, such as how to respond to a colleagues email and how to properly give constructive criticism. By providing a roadmap for employee’s to hold one another accountable, they will feel empowered and will help cultivate a unified and positive workforce.
Reinforcing a comfortable environment for employees to feel welcomed and accepted begins with how managers interact with their workforce. Setting a general guide on how to interact with coworkers can go a long way to creating the positive work atmosphere needed for modern organizations. Being a kind neighbor is contagious, so lend a friendly hand whenever possible and pass it on.
This DATIS Blog was written by Phil Krison, DATIS, on June 22nd, 2016 and may not be re-posted without permission
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