Employee Experience: The Golden Rule

With workplace trends shifting, employers are now more focused on employee engagement, and it got me thinking about previous positions I have held and what made me feel engaged or disengaged. I am now in a position that my behaviour and treatment of individuals can have a profound impact on them personally, and ultimately the success of the business.

I’ve read A LOT of articles, reports and blogs on the subject of employee engagement and it is mind boggling, and a little scary. There is talk of mental health policies, psychological safety, flexibility, community, benefits, appreciation etc., and I have decided it doesn’t have to be so complicated, I just have to put myself back in my previous shoes – the lessons are all there.

1. Stop checking employee start/stop times
   I HATED clock watching. No one ever noticed or acknowledged when I worked late, but they did notice if I happened to be 5 minutes late in the morning. You reap what you sow, people have different pressures in life at different times – be kind and understanding.
2. Let people choose to work where they want
   As long as your team can accomplish their work, does it matter where it happens or even when. I know it can’t be said for all industries, but trust your team to deliver in the time frames that have been agreed.
3. Encourage time off – guilt free
   Stepping away is super important. I used to lie to my old boss about having a doctor’s appointment, when in reality I was at my child’s nativity play. Empower your team, take interest in them and what they enjoy doing outside of work and share special moments.
4. Listen to team feedback
   I shoot from the hip, and it isn’t always welcome. I introduced Officevibe, a people-first employee experience platform which encourages open, honest, anonymous feedback. This way I give the team the opportunity to communicate so I can make changes that make a real difference.
5. Trust your team
   They are adults. They have a job to do. You hired them. Give them the autonomy needed to perform.
   No one performs well with someone on their back, so don’t go there.
6. Reward and recognise
   We all have good days and bad days, be human and understand that learning is a process. Listen, share frustrations, say thank you and celebrate wins. We’ve set up a Teams channel called ‘You Beauty!’ which enables the team to share successes.
7. The golden rule
   Value each and every person, they are all individuals. This isn’t one size fits all approach, but after everything that I have read, I don’t think you can go too far wrong if you treat people with the concern and kindness you would like them to show towards you.