Why Employees Should Appreciate Their Employer

Employer and Employee – it’s a symbiotic relationship.Neither party is there just to take from the other; if that’s the case, it will not work out. Employees work hard daily to support the broader mission of the employer, and employers work hard to support their employees. Often that part can go unnoticed and unappreciated. This discussion talks about why an employee should appreciate their employer and how to foster that knowledge in employees.

We all know what bad situations look like -

Employer – We have all seen or heard of employers where it is “a grind.” Little PTO, no schedule flexibility, 50+ hours a week, always on call, low compensation, low development opportunities, and a mission that may not be worth fighting for.

Employees – We have all seen or heard of employees that are not enjoyable to work with and don’t give; they just take. Productivity is low, they have a bad attitude, and there is little gratitude and no proactive approach to anything.

What good looks like from an employer-

Compensation - A salary that enables employees to meet their financial needs, support their families, and live a comfortable life for their job duty. Compensation is often market-driven, if you’re performing services highly unique and not easily replicable by another, then expect higher compensation – we all want higher compensation, be realistic with expectations.  

Medical benefits - Employers also provide, for the most part, some type of medical insurance to ensure the employee is covered both in case of an accident as well as if a chronic or more serious condition appears.

Leave and flexibility – Opportunities for employees to take time as needed with vacation and holidays.

Training & Development – Employers also invest in employees' training and development. Every day at work, a skill is honed, or a new skill is developed. That’s why years of experience are important on a resume.

Positive work environment – Outside of sleep, you will spend more time at work than any other item. Well, maybe being a parent, because that job is seemingly never-ending. Work should not feel like a prison. In addition to schedule and location flexibility, make sure there is a positive and proactive environment.

Opportunity to work on a larger mission -Employers have a vision and a mission for their company, and they hire employees who share their values and are committed to achieving their goals. This one cannot be understated.

That’s a large investment by the average employer into their employee and is generally what is made available by most employers.

Given all the great, how do you help ensure it is actually appreciated by the employees?

1. Communicate the hard dollar and total compensation value: Employees think in salary terms – I make X thousands per year. They have a hard time     understanding employers’ contributions to their medical, retirement, and other benefits. Total investment in an employee is usually 1.25 – 1.5X actual salary each year. Don’t let it just be a salary discussion. This can help employees feel more valued and appreciated, as well as help them make more informed financial decisions.
2. Communicate how their total compensation stacks up against the market: Comparing an employee's compensation package to the market can help them understand how competitive their pay and benefits are. An employer who covers 75% of medical expenses vs. an employer who only covers 25% can make a huge     difference financially – especially if a family – but most employees don’t know the hard value of their medical benefits and how that stacks up to the market.
3. Communicate the employee's individual part and contribution to the overall mission: By clearly communicating an employee's individual contribution to the     company's overall mission and success, employees can better understand how their work impacts the company. This can help employees feel more connected and motivated to contribute to the company's success. It can also help employees feel more valued and appreciated for their individual contributions.

If you are an employer, you can also be proud of yourself and make that known. A large company in our market asked all their employees to return to the office full-time. The premise was – “It's an honor to work here, we invest heavily in you, the employee, and you have an opportunity to make an impact. To be most effective, we need teams in the office. If that’s not for you, that’s ok.”

In conclusion, employees should appreciate their employers for providing them with a salary, benefits, access to a larger mission, and opportunities for growth and development. Employers play a vital role in the lives of their employees, and they should be recognized and appreciated for the value they provide. Don’t be shy about communicating that. Everyone is replaceable, from the CEO to the receptionist or top physician at a hospital.