Gallup Organization talks about the cost to business of disengaged employees that is that employees aren’t just unhappy at work; they’re busy acting out their unhappiness. Every day, these workers undermine what their engaged co-workers accomplish. Actively disengaged employees made up 18% of the Australian Workforce in 2006 costing some $AU32.7 billion. (We are the second least engaged after the French- ouch that hurts.)
-
- But this quote sums it up from a famous ‘business commentator’:
“If Adults don’t like their jobs they don’t go on strike, they just go in every day and do it really half-assed.”
Homer Simpson
You never know where you’re going to find the gold.
TF says
Hi Naomi – as case in point for your blog post, I’m on your site talking to you instead of working!
Personally my Homer favorite is "When you’ve lost something, it’s always the last place you look"
The internet has posed serious attention-span issues for staff. My work doesn’t challenge me so I need to find other things to do with my time. I work the corporate life in an accounting firm because my real passion is to start businesses ("Do something remarkable" to quote Seth Godin). My first went well but I just couldn’t find the right people to help me.
If you can engage employees then you’ve won half the battle. Google prevents people from doing it ‘half-arsed’ by giving them 1 day a week to work on their own thing as I understand it.
Cheers – TF
Penny Ombler says
Hi Naomi,
Yes, engagement in the workplace is an issue for everyone – the employee and the organisation. Most often, there isn’t individual buy-in to how a role fits into the bigger picture. Those who have a sense of working on something that is for a future benefit or that is for the greater good are usually more engaged in the workplace. Having the opportunity to use your strengths also helps people feel engaged. One of the more important aspects of engagement is allowing people to set their own goals (rather than suggesting or setting them for the employee). This allows the employee to have ownership and engagement.
Life is too short to do anything half arsed – find what inspires you and make a step towards it every day.
Penny Ombler
Successful Minds
http://www.successfulminds.com.au