Keep best employees by treating them like adults

A shift is occurring. The past paradigm of work was one in which employees were thankful to have a job at a company that would provide the basic needs for them and their families. If they were lucky, they could look forward to retirement or a pension.

It’s not so simple at the modern workplace. The term work/life balance is not as relevant as the concept of work/life integration. Employees are not content to grin and bear it as they trudge to work every day to “make a living.” The expectation is that the work day is as engaging as the personal time in a day.

Here are the signs of the shift to treating staff like grownups:

Paid time off: Many companies are adopting the policy of unlimited paid time off. At first glance, this concept is frightening. Visions of two-month holidays in the Caribbean for salaried employees fill the minds of managers. The reality is nowhere near. If people are doing the job they truly love, they will want to be there as often as possible to grow their career. In addition, if an employee’s value is being measured by performance and not physical presence, this fits.

With mobile technology, employees can be productive no matter where they are. If they take time off but do not get their jobs done, then it’s time for an adult conversation about responsibility.

This also avoids the year-end rush to use up the time in the bank before it expires. Companies as large as GE have gone down this path. During the cold season, employees feel better about staying home to heal, resulting in less spreading of disease and quicker recovery. As an employee, it feels good to be trusted. If it is truly a hangover, be open about it. We’ve all been there.

Flex time: Telecommuting is not new. The mobile workforce is growing as we are gaining the skills required to be effective on the go. Some people work best at 5 a.m. Others are night owls. This allows them to work when they are most effective. Efficiency is increased if an employee can work the rest of the day in another city after a meeting to spend less time in traffic.

Food and drinks: The kegerator is an all-too-common sight in startups and now more traditional offices. Technically speaking, an employee has the power to pour a pint at 9 a.m. Is this a good idea? Will they have a job if they are drunk by noon from drinking at the work tap? Unlikely. If an employee lives off the snacks in the company office, that will also be strange. Grownups know when to drink and how to respect the office snacks. Steady blood sugar levels result in lower stress and higher energy on the team. If staff feel cared for, they will care for the business.

On the other side of this coin is the concept of responsibility. Grownups are responsible for their actions. Therefore, if action is out of line with the expectation, then the conversation is easy. Every action has a consequence and grownups understand this. As a leader, this makes those hard conversations far easier when it comes to disciplining employees.

This movement could be considered the democratization of the workplace. Gone are the days of benevolent dictatorships running offices. People need to feel appreciated, challenged and trusted. If they are not, they will find a place where they get that. Keep the best people. Treat them like grownups.

Shaun Oshman is founder and chief executive of iSupportU in Boulder. He can be reached at 303-630-9974 or shaun@isupportu.biz.

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