COMPANY VALUES

In the 21 st century, the marketplace is changing and employees have a different perspective on their working environment and jobs. They want to be treated as individuals, be happy, valued and have a good relationship with their boss and colleagues. They also want to trust the company they are working for.

They also have a perception of the 'deal' they expect and you need to develop a healthy 'psychological contract' that includes creating and maintaining good HR practices from recruitment and selection to training, from appraisal and communication practices to pay and benefits, all of which have an impact on the psychological contract. This is all links loosely back to the old rhetoric of the hygiene factors in Hertzberg's motivational theory that still exists as a key issue to employees.

Beside the HR practices, the Company should have values and ensure they let the employees know about them so that they know how to act and behave. However, these values only become real and meaningful when they are practised and managers lead by example through their decisions and behaviours, otherwise employees become disillusioned and the values are meaningless. They want to see a strong and inspiring management team with visible leadership that lives its values with good career opportunity in the company.

If you cannot accommodate their needs and create this 'psychological contract', they will not be loyal to you and will be looking for a new job.

Research has shown that over 36% of new employees on their first day in a job will continue to actively search for another one and over 69% are keeping an eye on the job market for new opportunities.

If you want to be a responsible employer see if you identify with these 5 key characteristics:

		Treating individuals fairly
		Responding to the changing needs of individual employees over time
		Providing good quality products and services
		Listening to employees
		Understanding the importance of values

If you recognise your employees and provide the environment they wish to work in, you will gain you a strong sense of commitment from them and they will be motivated and inspired and will stay with you which will improve your business success and bottom line.

Also, this will help you in attracting new employees who are looking for a '21st Century' employer.

From HR Solutions Newsletter: September 2003

Also see 'Happiness at Work' in HR Solutions Newsletter: November 2002, 'Quality Induction is the Key to Staff Retention in HR Solutions Newsletter: September 2003, 'First Day Fears in HR Solutions Newsletter: November 2002 and Psychological Contract