In or Out
“A simple way to take a measure of a country is to look at how many want in ….and how many want out.”
Tony Blair
(Could the same be said about a company?)
This Could be the Year Fed-Up Employees Have Had It
Forbes
By Judy Martin
updated 1/16/2012 12:09:41 PM ET
December’s employment numbers blew analysts expectations out of the water. Perhaps the news rustled the moat around the corporate kingdom’s C-Suite. (Ok, maybe just a ripple) We’re certainly not out of the waters of a struggling economy. But with unemployment falling for the fourth month in a row, talent retention concerns might make more of an appearance.
Most employees are glad to have a job these days. There’s this unwritten mandate that has reigned since the recession; corporate is king, companies are doing more with less and underlings just have to deal with it and eat porridge. But if the C-Suite ignores improving economic data, might they be dethroned in a workers rebellion?
“I think 2012 is the year of the payback, meaning that all the slashing and burning of the workforce has severely wounded the ability to motivate employees,” says Irwin Kellner, Chief Economist for Marketwatch.com.
While corporate profits are doing well, Kellner says the numbers can’t grow at the same rate if companies let go or use fewer workers. He warns there will be consequences, such as lower productivity, less engagement and talent fleeing to competition, if management doesn’t launch incentives to retain skilled workers and take the 24/7 stress down a notch.
“Workers are afraid but it doesn’t mean they are going to work their tails off to come up with the next I-phone,” adds Kellner.
The numbers
If current economic data is a harbinger of things to come, perhaps corporateAmerica might be a bit more concerned about retention, instead of burning workers to a crisp. Let’s break down the numbers:
- Unemployment fell for a fourth time in a row to 8.5 percent, it’s lowest point in nearly three years.
- There’s been an uptick in the number of Americans quitting their jobs since the recession began in December of 2007, according to the Labor Department.
- The BNA Annual Economic Forecast, (BNA tracks and analyzes legal, regulatory and business information) shows theU.S.economy improving, albeit with limited job creation, expected to increase in the second half. Also, modest gains in private sector workers’ hourly compensation.
- The rate of layoffs is lower than anytime before the recession.
The uncertain economy
While conditions remain tenuous due to the European debt crisis, the mortgage meltdown, wages not keeping up with inflation and the unknowns of numerous political footballs, including the payroll tax cut debate — it is an election year. A factor that Kellner says is cyclically positive in nature. Election years are generally good for the economy. Both camps tend to play better together in Washington.
While there’s a cautious air of optimism, more than 13 million people are still unemployed and more than half of them have been out of work for more than six months. Kellner says uncertainty across the board can sway the economy either way in 2012 as he writes in his Marketwatch.com column, New year’s surprise for the economy? But the slight uptick in the “quit” rate is very much on Kellner’s radar as he says it’s an indication that employees are gaining more confidence that they can find a job elsewhere.
“The rising quit rate may be the first sign that the balance of power is changing in corporateAmericabetween the executives and the underlings,” says Kellner who adds, “The grandiose plans that the corner office has in terms of creativity might have reached a limit.”
Incentives to the rescue?
Fringe benefits like work-life initiatives, retraining, education or wellness programs (like stress-reduction), are already on the radar of more progressive companies. But perhaps such incentives should be shouted from the corporate kingdom’s bell tower in a call for better employee engagement and wellness in a stressed-out working culture.
“In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter how much technology you have, if workers are exhausted and hanging on to their jobs by their fingernails,” says Kellner.
Is all this economic news indeed a harbinger of things to come? Kellner says it’s the job of the prognosticators to figure that out. But where there’s smoke there just might be fire. The C-suite might do well to wake up and smell the coffee. If they don’t, it might be the smell of their employees burning out instead.
© 2012 Forbes.com
Not Enough Good Workers
Article Excerpt
Role reversal: Employers say they can’t find workers
Economists and labor experts say that in some industries, there is a legitimate talent shortage: There simply aren’t enough workers with the skills needed to do the jobs available.
But some also think there are other factors that are making it difficult for employers to connect with the right employees.
“Employers have been spoiled by the recession,” said Melanie Holmes, a vice president with Manpower Group.
Crossing a Sea
You can’t cross a sea by merely staring into the water……
Wayne W., submitted this quote from Rabindranath Tagore
The Mirror
A mirror can be a powerful tool. Are you proud of the person you see?……..Heather J., advice from her mother
Question Yourself
The person of intellect is the one who questions his own opinions…….Raza A.
Your Court
When the ball is in your court, run with it…..Peter D., advice from a mentor
Price of Inaction
The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake..…..Peter D., advice from Meister Eckhart 1260-1328.
Life is Too Short
Life is too short to care so much about the things that are out of your control.
Dominic C.
Where it Lies
Play it as it lies…in other word, turn EVERYTHING life throws your way into victory…..David R.
Love vs. Respect
You can learn to love anyone but do you have the highest respect for him/her?……..
Dorothy K., advice from a college Dean of Women
Define Correctly
Define the problem correctly before solving it!!!
Amit K.
Less “I’s”
Use less “I’s” when you talk. It will do wonders
John B., advice from grandfather
Change Your Attitude About Change
The world is changing. The changes will be rapid, constant and revolutionary. We can’t stop it.
At best, we can slow it down a little. But, change will be coming from all directions and at speeds we have never seen before. If rapid change is inevitable then how can we prepare for it?
Seven Ways to Look at Change:
1. Today’s change is tomorrow’s norm.
2. Change is as good or as bad as you make it.
3. If you are a change oriented leader expect others to paint a bull’s eye on your back and then shoot arrows at you.
4. Substitute the word “growth” for “change.” It will revolutionize your perspective about new things.
5. “When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.”…..
Tuli Kupferberg
6. “Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat.” ……
Prince Phillip of England
7. If you can’t control the changing event, change how you react to it.
By changing our attitude toward it and insuring that the changes make things better and not just faster.
By changing our attitude toward it we can make the change in our section of the world better – not just faster.
Our personal attitude toward change will ultimately determine our destiny.
I Failed – I Learned
“I failed therefore I succeed
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.
Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.
I’ve failed over and over and over again in life. And, that is why I succeed”……..Michael Jordon
Question for discussion: How is Michaels’ life an example of determination? How can you use this principle in your life or in your education?
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
The world is full of people who make excuses.
Excuses are roadblocks you put in front of your path to success.
Excuses shift the blame to someone or something else for a person’s inability to complete a project.
You won’t always be thrilled about every task life presents you, but your imagination, desire, and determination will power you to new and exciting successes. Don’t let excuses hold you back from reaching your full potential. When the door is closed – find the opened window.
Question for discussion: Thinking about today’s activities – did you make any excuses for lack of effort on your part?
All Good Or All Bad
Nothing in life is either all good or all bad….
Janis G.
Better Future
Be positive even if there is no hope, keep working hard and dreaming about a better future …
Yves A.