Work pervades all facets of life – when at home with family, an aspect of work could be the topic over dinner. Meeting up with friends, conversations eventually move towards jobs; what’s new in the workplace, where to check for openings, for a chance to move up the career ladder.

Bill Gates aptly put it when he said, “Take our 20 best people away, and I will tell you that Microsoft would become an unimportant company.” He is clearly aware that a positive relationship between employers and employees is important. Intrinsic to the association are obligations to one another that include respect and fair treatment, on one hand. On the other hand, employers must make certain that managers do not abuse their authority, for example.

Trust is the fulcrum where all other work relationships revolve. A feeling of trust between management and staff can produce loyalty as well as commitment. Loyalty works both ways; employers show appreciation via yearend bonuses while staff continues to deliver a high level of quality work. Confidence in employees motivates and engenders passion, traits that most companies would love to have in their staff.

Work is not a separate activity that can be boxed at will. For example, when projects are not going well, both managers and team members are affected. There is concern from colleagues; the mental and psychological make up of staff is influenced. While work outputs may experience a downswing, staff morale could also suffer.

When negativity towards management consumes staff, for whatever reason, it can create havoc in the communication between employers and employees. Dialogue and transparency are huge contributors to creating an overall pleasant atmosphere in the workplace. Not to say that everyone must like each other but it is good to keep in mind that the workplace is part of life and adapting to situations is an acquired skill.

A positive employer-employee relationship is evidenced by both parties’ commitment to the company’s success. Goethe said, “ Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.” Capable people produce excellent work creating the pleasant relationship between management and staff, an effect that eventually seeps into an employee’s personal life.

Written by Yoli P. – The Help