12-11-2022 Top Workplaces - Flipbook - Page 42
COMMENTARY
Talk the talk, walk the walk
Shining the light on Top Workplaces and their greatest capital
BY SHAWN CELIO
B
esides the proliferation of Zoom, the coronavirus pandemic introduced or
reintroduced a bevy of topics, such as “the great resignation,” “quiet quitting,”
“flex schedules” and “work-life balance,” that have occupied the national
workforce discourse.
These very consequential matters have brought into focus a new paradigm in
workplace relations and radically changed the list of requirements for businesses or
organizations seeking the vaunted title of “Top Workplace.”
Must-haves atop the stratbe treated fairly with civility
egy of today’s best places
and respect. We want to be
to work include: hiring and
affiliated with an organizaretaining the brightest and best
tion where leaders value their
people; sustaining competitive
staff for who they are and not
compensation and benefits
entirely for what they do.
programs; investing in trainEmployers who create “top”
ing and development; commitworkplaces effectively balance
ting to health and wellness;
the perception of their workadvancing diversity, equity and
force as human “doers” and
inclusion; encouraging inno- Shawn Celio
human beings. People most
vation; empowering workoften resign from an organiers; and supporting work-life
zation because of poor treatbalance.
ment by their supervisor, not because of
Moreover, today’s top workplaces
money. In fact, according to a recent Pew
have inspirational, confident leaders
Research Center survey, 57% of Ameriwho are comfortable being vulnerable,
cans quit their jobs in 2021 because they
lean in to show empathy, thrive in the
felt disrespected at work with 35% of
ambiguity of interpersonal relations,
those surveyed citing this as a major
and understand the “human” in human
reason for quitting.
resources — fully embracing the basic
For most employers, the resources to
truth that people are people.
attain that coveted approval rating of
Leaders at these workplaces know
“Top Workplace” can be found within
your name and take an interest in you
the walls of the organization. In many
beyond your job description. They allow
instances, the onus is on leadership,
you to shine in a collaborative, cohesive
management and supervisory staff to
and creative culture where your actions
shape the workforce environment,
matter. Their drive for productivity is
directly impact the day-to-day work
balanced by a thoughtful application of
experience, and empower workers not
clemency. And everyone has opportunionly to perform but also to progress
ties to make a difference and an impact.
professionally. It’s through this holisAs a human resources professional, I
tic approach that employers establish
recognize that personnel want higher
a culture that encourages staff to bring
salaries but that, as people, we want to
their whole selves to work.
42 | 2022 | TOPWORKPLACES
The focus today is squarely on industry’s greatest capital — its people. Top
Workplaces recognize this very important detail and are not simply talking the
talk; they are actively meeting the needs
of their workforce. To further illustrate
this, you may have noticed that I never
used the word “employee” before now.
That was intentional. We must have the
mindset that our employees are people
first, who are balancing child care and/
or elder care, volunteering their time
at a church or community center, and
desiring constructive engagement from
leadership.
During these ever-changing times,
organizations must continuously invest
in people. Listen to them. Lean in and
tap into their creativity. More than ever,
there is a greater need to connect with
one another in a cohesive and collaborative way. Leverage technology to your
advantage: Not every conversation has to
be in person or on-site. Be willing to part
with old, outdated habits and rules, and
embrace the diversity of new ideas and
concepts that are taking shape in today’s
labor environment.
Top Workplaces talk the talk and walk
the walk. Proudly support your employees as people. Trust them. Show that you
care for them. Creating an environment
that empowers, is inclusive and places
equal emphasis on “who” (i.e., people)
and “what” (i.e., production) can become
contagious; believe me, people take
notice. Take a renewed interest in your
organizational culture and you will not
only attract the best people at your organization, you will retain them as well.
Remember, people make Top Workplaces.
Shawn Celio is director of HR partnerships & employee and labor relations at
Morgan State University.