Last week I watched the show Undercover Boss – I usually don’t watch the show however a friend suggested I watch it.
Wow.
It was really inspiring. One of the things I often talk about is that employees are the greatest resource a business can have and the episode of the show I was watching highlighted the same thing.
Let me set the scene for you:
The boss goes into his workplace in disguise and does a few of the jobs.
This one guy did three different jobs in his business –
1. Office, scheduling jobs
2. Technical job, going to customers home and installing product
3. Call Centre.
It was great to see the boss trying to do the jobs while finding out about the people that work there and what some of their challenges were.
1. Office, scheduling jobs was the first one he did – he got it wrong and held up everyone. His handwriting wasn’t neat enough and the drivers were giving him a tough time. On a personal note the employee who usually did this job was a single mum, working hard and studying too.
2. Technical Job, going to customers home and installing product – the technician was professional, polite and really knew his stuff. He did the best for the customer. On a personal note the employee’s wife was diagnosed with cancer and when he wanted to take time off to be at Drs appointments and treatment with her the company told him he couldn’t.
3. Call Centre – the hassles of equipment not working properly and not knowing what the technicians do. On a personal note she had been going through so challenges that made coming to working difficult and she need time off.
The Undercover Boss was astounded not only by the work challenges but also personal challenges. Even though his employees were struggling under work and personal challenges they still showed up and did the work.
Can you imagine how much better the productivity and profits would be if the employees were provided support when they needed the most.
If only employers took the time to find out what was going on in their employees lives then they could provide the assistance they needed.
Whether it is and employee assistance program or an employee educational support package the assistance given will not only help employees the workplace will soon gain a reputation for being a sought after place to work and will attract the cream of the crop.
What could your employer do to help you? Does your employer recognise your caring responsibilities?
