What Working Stiffs Really Want

With the United States already in a labor shortage, workplaces are looking to retain workers rather than train workers. They are beginning to recognize that while seniority costs money, it costs more money to seek out, train, and bring a new employee up to a level of competence. Therefore, they are investing in putting in coffee bars, offering gym memberships, and even offering performance perks in the form of trips to far off places.

All this is nice, but in a recent informal poll of twenty friends and colleagues between the ages of 35 and 55, I got some surprising insight into what real working people want:

1. The tools to do the job right - we really need companies to get on board and keep abreast of new technology. This includes company software and hardware, as well as techniques such as web conferencing that ultimately saves money and time. Most of us are willing to wait for Windows Vista, but it would be nice if we were at least up to Windows XP at this point. What's more is that we also need at least one person in the company who does nothing but serve as the IT person; when something goes down, we can't afford to lose our computers to outside repair shops that can take between 3 and 10 days to fix 'it' - whatever 'it' is.
2. Fewer meetings - what time waster's 95% of all meetings are! The consensus is that if it takes over an hour to meet, then it's a good chance the meeting is ill conceived and ill run. The only reason to meet as a large group is at critical junctures during a project and everyone needs to come prepared. Please don't waste time and encourage idle chitchat and excessive socializing in a meeting. A brisk 'Good morning' and let's get down to business works for us!
3. Morning work hours - it may surprise you but it seems most of us actually prefer to come in, get our coffee, sit down and get down to work. Why not make it company policy, that all meetings (if we have to have them), etc. will take place after 11 am in the morning? Give us the hours between 8 and 11 when we are the most with it and let us actually get work done.
4. Fewer emails - please make it company policy and get people to think before they email. Could we also limit people sharing those obnoxious 'inspirational' chain emails at work? Let's have a company policy to fight spam!
5. A little more flexibility - let's face it; if it's a snow day and the kids stay home, someone has to stay home with them. It is not a plot against you on the part Mother Nature. If we are properly networked so that we can access our work computer from home, we can work from home in the case of an emergency. Again, web and teleconferencing can allow us to be on site when we can't be on site.
6. Let us in on the company vision - we were excited when you hired us to be part of the company. Please trust us to do the job for you; constant micro managing is irritating. We are not you and we understood we were hired to be ourselves and bring our talents to help you. If you absolutely want it done exactly the way you would do it…then, please, do it yourself.
7. Mind your P's and Q's - Manners can go further than money. Honestly. Remembering daily to say 'please', 'thank you' and an occasional 'good job' means more to us than all the wall plaques and award ribbons in the world.
8. Make us proud of you - Don't lie, cheat, steal or expect us to do the same for you in or on the job. We don't expect perfection but we want to be proud to walk through the doors, when we talk about working for you, when we mention you as our boss.
9. Bring a sense of humor into the workplace - We are not talking about pulling practical jokes or allowing risqué or sexually suggestive humor, but about good, old fashion fun. Moreover, join us while we laugh!
10. When it comes to benefits - If you allow us some input as to what we need, can afford, and actually use, you may be surprised what you can save. Our input can benefit you as well.