WHEN EMPLOYERS STOP CARING....

Today's workforce has changed quite a bit over the years. In today's society people are looking for more flexibility from their employers. There are studies out there that show that having the flexibility to take care of family matters means a great deal to employees and even will persuade one to pass up a potential job offering. 

 

In today's society things are slightly different then they were in the past. In today's economy most families have both spouses working full time jobs. It was reported in that 50% of the households where both spouses held full time jobs, at least one of the spouses help a second job. This is not because of over spending or living beyond your means, this is because of inflation. Everything single thing now cost more, from housing to groceries to gasoline. But the one thing that most people can count on that has not gone up all that much is wages. Turn to the person next to you right now and ask them if they receive a cost of living raise every year? 

 

So if a employee is not going to get a cost of living raise every year, what are they looking for from an employer that makes their job worth having? That is the flexibility to take care of their family when need be. Whether it be caring for an elderly parent that needs assistance, caring for a special needs infant, staying with a child because for whatever you have no child care that day, assisting a sick spouse, these are all special occasions that employees can not predict nor plan for. So they are expecting their employer to allow them they flexibility they need to take care of these unfortunate and unplanned incidents.

 

We haven't even touched on the single parent trying to make ends meet while raising their children. We haven't even brought up the man or woman that is going through a divorce and may need some time off to make sure that everything is taken care of properly. 

 

What makes a great employer is one that not only cares about it's employees but the employees families. A great employer tries to help an employee with any family problem or situation that arises. That is why I love the Fire Service, because we were built on brotherhood, tradition, and family. We take care of each not only while on duty, but even when off duty. We are always there for each other. That is why a job in the Fire Service is so desired and held in such high regards.

 

When an employer decides that your problems do not matter to them at all, they just want you to show to work no matter what, it brings down morale. If you have child care issues and cannot leave your child sick or not alone at home, what are you to do? If an employer does not offer you personal time off to take care of these issues what are you to do? When an employer says why is that their problem, they are not in the business of baby sitting, what are you to do? 

 

It is definitely something to think about. Just remember an employer does not have to pay you the most money in order to offer you the best job. The job that allows to make a living, and take care of your family is the best job in the world. When an employer stops caring about it's employees and their families, it will for sure bring down business and business morale.

 

SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US TO THINK ABOUT....