Asking more is an Opportunity for Success – No
As an employer running a service oriented business (landscaping) with 6 full time staff and, this year, 22 seasonal workers, we have consciously chosen to place clear and challenging job requirements on our employees. Just some of those requirements: a good driving record, a good school record, drug screening, and basic reading, writing and business math capabilities. Team leaders there must also be bondable and possess good communication skills. In addition, they must have or be willing to learn job specific skills like operating tools and equipment or using a computer. We pay above average salaries for our industry and offer an option to share in the profits if desired. We work hard to train our employees and understand if, sometimes, they make mistakes. However, repeated failures will quickly result in a termination.
No one has a right to hold the job a business offers nor is anyone made to work for us. It is a choice and privilege to work and be paid. In our experience, employees looking to skirt job requirements never really enjoy themselves in the workplace. They often find themselves grumbling and confused about what they are to do and why they are to do it. And they often find themselves at odds with co-workers who make an honest effort to meet the job requirements. Meeting or even exceeding the high expectations of the job always results in more satisfied employee.
People trying to avoid meeting the requirements of their job place others at risk. In our case, most employees operate equipment that, used incorrectly, can cause physical injury or damage property. Other workers should not have to feel at risk because an employee doesn't want to measure up. The requirements we put in place protect everyone.
Our service-based business succeeds because clients are pleased with the work. If an employee fails to meet work requirements and a client's good will is lost, that is almost never won back. The loss of revenue not only hurts the people sharing in the profits it may mean that not as many people will be hired in the future. We reward employees that meet or exceed their requirements because it benefits our business and, subsequently, benefits all the people we employ.
No doubt there are companies that place unreasonable requirements on their employees but those are few and far between. In those cases, employees should and do have places to go to have grievances redressed. However, most business owners aren't looking for ways to make their employees miserable. They are trying to create a good work environment where people are glad to do what they do and because it is the best opportunity for everyone to succeed. Rather than trying to minimize job place requirements, we have chosen to place high expectations on our people. They have responded fabulously. In turn, our business is doing well and the people we hire like being here and everyone is being rewarded for jobs well done.
