What are the Traits of a Good Employer
Most people have at least one employer in their lifetime. Some have a few. Others have more than they would possibly want to tally. They might not even have enough fingers and toes to count them all. I would expect then that most of us have a fair idea, from personal experience, what makes a good employer and what makes a bad one. Many people would have had an assortment at both extremes - "the good, the bad and the ugly", so to speak. I expect there are also a certain percentage of employers that fall somewhere in the middle though.
An employer can make all the difference to his or her employees' daily lives and even their general physical and mental health and well-being. As a direct result of whether they are a candidate for the "Super-Boss Awards" or "The Boss from Hell", the job can be either very fulfilling, rewarding and morally edifying or totally miserable and demoralizing.
It can determine whether you drag yourself forlornly out of bed thinking glumly "Another day, another dollar!" - or bound out and break into a hearty rendition of "Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day!" Mind you, there are those of us for whom even our dream job may not always succeed in producing such a bright, chirpy start to the day. That is, unless the working day could start after lunch!
A good employer is one who brings out the best in his (or her) staff. To simplify matters I will refer to the employer as a male - but of course everything I say applies to female employers as well.
He cultivates a positive atmosphere in which every employee feels appreciated and supported. No matter how lowly the task a person is responsible for performing, they will feel that they are valued and esteemed highly by their employer and that they have an important place in the overall functioning of the business. They will never be made to feel that they are at "the bottom of the heap".
The employer will ensure he knows every employee by name and take an interest in their personal lives, as well as the work they do. He should be family-friendly and recognize that families sometimes have to take priority over work. If an employee has difficult personal circumstances he will be flexible enough to make special allowances for them, and will make sure they know he is available to help in whatever way possible.
He will also be humble enough to help out wherever he can when there is a need - from the most senior role down to the most basic. There is no task in his business that he would consider beneath his dignity. The smooth running and all-round good of the entire business, and every individual who contributes to it, should be his greatest concern. At all times he should have his finger on the pulse of his business, from the ground floor up.
A good employer will speak respectfully to his employees at all times. He will not be rude or aggressive, address them in a patronizing or demeaning manner or put them down in any way. He will certainly not swear or rant at them. If there has been any breakdown in standards of some individuals (which is unlikely to happen if everybody is treated well) he will speak with those involved personally. He will not lump a group together and treat them all as being equally at fault.
Is it obvious I'm talking from experience here? My last regular salaried employment was for a large company where I was one of the top performers in my department. During the six years I worked there, no general pay rise was given. At one stage though, I was one of just two individuals who was given a pay rise based on merit.
The very same week we were called into our supervisor's office. She ranted and raved, swore and blasphemed because - according to her - general performance was down and people were slacking off. Apart from the fact that her behavior was an appalling disgrace, I couldn't help but shake my head at the incongruity of the situation. One of the people who was in that group she was berating happened to also be an individual who had just received a pay rise for her high- quality work.
A good employer is open and approachable and is available whenever possible for his employees to come and talk with him privately. He is open to suggestions, fresh ideas and other input on the way things are done in the business. While he has an aura of authority about him, he is not authoritarian in his leadership style.
A good employer doesn't throw his weight around and make excessive demands of his employees, or put them under undue pressure. He makes sure they have adequate breaks and in all ways takes their general health, well-being and occupational safety very seriously. He doesn't skimp on providing the best equipment and office furnishings, etc. Profits don't come ahead of looking after his employees. As a result his workers don't need to take as much time off anyway and consistently work hard for him. In the long run he knows that being prepared to spend money on his staff's needs reaps dividends for the business.
If by chance there is an injury of any kind, he will make it his business to look after the employee and do all he can to aid their rehabilitation, however long it takes. He will not wipe his hands of them or try to sweep such cases under the carpet.
A good employer gives plenty of pats on the back when they're due and doesn't fail to notice any extra mile service anybody gives. He is quick to give praise and encouragement where it's due. He puts his money where his mouth is too, recognizing extra effort with appropriately generous extra remuneration. He will not be stingy. He will look for extra ways to show his appreciation of all that his employees do for his company.
A good employer will provide career advancement opportunities for employees that perform well. He is wise enough to know that if he keeps his staff stimulated, motivated and inspired by new tasks and higher duties they are more likely to stick around.
Such an employer probably won't have too many problems with poor attitudes, disgruntled or uncooperative employees, people taking a lot of "sickies" or employees moving on to greener pastures. Good morale will breed such positive employee qualities as loyalty, enthusiasm, contentment, pride, satisfaction and a genuine heart-felt desire to keep serving that employer. Why would they want to risk getting one of the bad or ugly bosses next time when they have scored one of the goodies?
