The best way to manage bad relationships in the workplace is not to allow them to develop in the first place. The thing is, unless you actively create a harmonious, tolerant and good atmosphere at work, and maintain it, bad relationships inevitably develop. When relationships break down they lead to poor motivation, staff turnover, resentment, fear, stress for all, poor performance, poor productivity, grievance and disciplinaries and Employment Tribunals.
Employing people has never been tougher, businesses are burdened with huge amounts of red tape, and on top of this, despite most people in the UK working in small to medium sized businesses (under 250 people) the laws, Employment Tribunals System, grievance procedures, HR policies are universally aimed at large employers who have the resources to administer them, and even then, large employers are losing Tribunals, this used to be very rare.
“Why is there so much anger at work?” The workplace reflects what is happening in broader society. You’ll have noticed how people don;t seem to be able to rub along these days, there are many reasons for this and if you’re interested in those please read our blog. But the fact is that this is the reality. There has been so much focus on ‘rights’ and on initiatives like equality, diversity and inclusion, you could be forgiven for concluding that businesses exist to peddle their employees’ politics.
The workplace reflects what is happening in broader society. You’ll have noticed how people don;t seem to be able to rub along these days, there are many reasons for this and if you’re interested in those please read our blog. But the fact is that this is the reality. There has been so much focus on ‘rights’ and on initiatives like equality, diversity and inclusion, you could be forgiven for concluding that businesses exist to peddle their employees’ politics.
Add activist lawyers, no win no fee lawyers and an Employer Insurance sector that would rather pay out than fight, and you get a cocktail for grievance.
Don’t think the Human Resources industry will be of much help. Their professional body, the CIPD is completely politically captured, more interested in telling you how to manage ‘microaggressions’ and ‘systemic racism’. Finding sound HR Support is an increasing lottery.
“Some of our employees want us to sponsor our local Pride event.”
Do not, ever, as an employer sign up for or sponsor any third party or event that is in any way political. “Get woke go broke” is demonstrably true. Don’t do it. It might seem like a good idea but taking ANY political or ideological position as an employer will inevitably annoy and isolate at least some, and usually most, of your employees. Employees have a legal right to believe what they want to believe, provided those beliefs are lawful. You have no right to tell them what to think, how to think or to tell them they are bad for not thinking it. You definitely have no right to fire or discipline them for their opinions or beliefs. Yet, this is happening in big employers all over the country. If large employers are getting this wrong then what chance do small employers have?
Your business is not there to be a platform for political activism, do not permit anyone: employee, customer, investor, service provider, to use it in this way.
How can The Fair Job Initiative help me make a great workplace?
For a modest annual fee, Fair Job gives employers access to management and employer support to easily create a positive, sensible, straightforward and enjoyable workplace. We show you how to set the ground rules and embed them so you can reduce the risk of bad relationships developing. You’ll also get access to a constantly updated library of content with ideas and discussions and tools. We also have training courses for you and your staff, showing you how to manage various challenges in the workplace. You’ll get access to a confidential network of employers like you, you’re not alone here, and your peers can be the best source of support. You’ll also be able to access first class professional support for when things do go wrong or when you need help navigating the minefield of modern employment.
“We don’t need to worry, we’re a tiny business”
If you are a very small business then it is even more important that you get the ground rules right. We see many cases where businesses with as few as a couple of employees, close because they made an honest mistake when trying to manage a tricky situation. At this moment in time, the dice are stacked against the employer, especially if things get to an Employment Tribunal, far better to make sure you don’t get there by hiring the best attitudes and building a really good relationship with your people. Our entry level membership is as little as £190.00 per annum. It’s a tank of diesel for a truck.
