Employees: Friends or Assets?

Neither.

In the workplace, there are many different obstacles and trials to confront and overcome. One of these is human nature. Sure, we can say we're professional. We can act that way, dress that way. But beneath the surface of that smiling suit is a person. A person with emotions, desires, and ideas. Should your employee be your friend? As an owner, no. Should they just be another expendable asset in a spreadsheet? Absolutely not. Balance is key.

I hear too many stories about hundreds of people being laid off en masse from a huge company. Hell, way back when, I received a pink slip along with five thousand other hardworking people because the company I worked for decided to outsource all of our jobs. And there's my problem, right there. I understand that there is a company to maintain and sustain. But people are alive. They have feelings, they can be hurt. They can feel neglected, or used.

See? They're seen just as assets. Expendables. This is just wrong. I'm sorry, but it is. Now don't get me wrong. If an employee is not doing his/her job, you should consider giving them the axe, but there are right ways and wrong ways to go about doing it.

Then there's the other hand. Employees as best friends. Employers playing favorites, getting comfortable. There is no pulling back once you have made the plunge from employee to friend, especially if you share company/personal secrets with him or her. Most employees? I don't think they would hold sensitive information against you, but. Some will. Period. Once a boss becomes too personable, they lose authority, and are easily written off. I've seen it firsthand! As they lose authority, they lose respect, and then? Well. Do you really need to know what's next?

Balance is key. The maintenance and health of a business is very important- not only to you but to your employees too. Whether they wanted to or not, they are working at your establishment, your business. But they are not robots. They are people. And should be treated with respect. That's the key. Respect is a finite commodity. It ebbs and flows with society, and it also changes on the fly in everyday situations.

Friendship is...difficult in business, especially when defining the boundaries of employee/employer relationships, but a surefire thing that everyone recognizes is respect. Have respect for yourself and your business first, and everything else that revolves around these two very important items should start to settle into their proper perspectives.

What Employers are Looking For

Any person that writes an article claiming to know exactly what ALL employers are looking for is lying. Period. Me? I'm no different. I don't know what all employers are looking for! But I will tell you what I do know. I am an employer. There's no other way to look at it, and I am going to tell you, you who might be looking for a job, what I look for in a new hire.

Like I was saying before, every job is different. Just because you follow what I say, or what someone else says, doesn't mean these "tips and tricks" will work for you. But rather, I don't want to direct you. It's not my place. I'd rather just toss information out there and hope it helps someone! And that's exactly what I'm gonna do right now.

1. Reliability
This is one of the biggest values I look for in a new hire. Someone that wants the job, sets up an interview, shows up for the interview, and then (if hired) shows up to work every day more or less on time. Punctuality is nice, but not as much as reliability. They are closely related, true. But I'd rather someone show up every day 5 minutes late than have a punctual person that calls out two or three times a week.

2. Honesty
Of course, I don't want thieves, thugs, or other shifty people running around in other people's homes, so I look for honesty and honor in those I hire. Let's face it- Budget is a cleaning business. Our work isn't glamorous or easy, but it is a job nonetheless. And I expect any new hire to act professionally, do their job, and do it as best as they possibly can. Don't lie. Tell the truth, always. It's not lost on employers believe me, and if it is? They're a bad company to be working for anyway.

3. Autonomy
After training is complete, I look for people that can make their own decisions (where possible) when out in the field. An employee that's basically a robot has no use to me. If there isn't a brain, then longevity in a company where often you must make choices on the fly isn't in the cards. I also look at how they handle pressure, or how a new hire approaches a task they are unfamiliar with. Do they smile and fake it? Or do they take it upon themselves to admit they need help? All things I look at.

4. Humility
As a new hire, you will be told to do things. You will be trained, and you may be criticized. These are not because we enjoy belittling others. It is done to shape you into a better employee, and make your time at Budget less difficult. Not working well with others, bullying, gossiping, name calling. Big turn-offs for an employer.

And that's it. I'm not dancing around this one. Wanna know what an employer wants? Ask them. Wanna know what one employer wants? You just found out!

Best of luck if you're looking for work. It's a jungle out there...