Remember the Great Resignation? Millions of employees left their jobs, causing a seismic shift in the job market. One of the top reasons people walked away was due to a lack of respect in the workplace.
What does that look like and how can leaders work on respect in the workplace? Is it even worth working on? Here are a few observations I’ve made about how respect impacts employee development and overall well-being.
What Does the Data Say?
The Great Resignation is the official name given to a time period in 2021 when tens of millions of American workers left their jobs. Here are some stats from the Society of Human Resource Management:
- In 2021, 47.8 million people quit their jobs.
- An average of 4 million people quit their jobs each month during 2021. The previous high was 3.5 million a month in 2019.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics has been keeping this data since 2000, which means 2021 is the record high for 2 decades of data.
The Pew Research Center found that 57% of people cited “felt disrespected at work” as a major or minor reason for quitting. That’s only 6 percentage points lower than pay being too low. This shows that respect is not just a nicety; it’s a necessity for retaining top talent and maintaining a positive workplace culture. Here’s how to improve respect in the workplace.
Respecting Differences of Opinion
Disagreements are inevitable in any workplace. However, respecting differing opinions is crucial for fostering an inclusive environment. Encourage healthy debates and consider all viewpoints before making decisions. When employees see that their perspectives are valued, even if they differ from the majority, they feel more respected and included.
Avoiding Micromanagement
Micromanagement can be incredibly demoralizing. It signals a lack of trust and respect for an employee’s abilities. Give your team the autonomy to complete their tasks without constant oversight. Trusting employees to manage their own work boosts morale and demonstrates respect for their expertise and judgment.
Transparency in Leadership
Transparency is a key element of respect. Be open about company decisions, changes, and challenges. Keeping employees in the loop fosters trust and shows that you respect them enough to share important information. Transparent communication can prevent misunderstandings and build a stronger, more cohesive team.
Respecting Personal Time
In today’s always-on work culture, it’s vital to respect employees’ personal time. Avoid contacting team members during their time off or on weekends unless absolutely necessary. Respecting their work-life balance shows that you value their well-being and personal life.
Showing Appreciation
Regularly showing appreciation is a simple yet effective way to demonstrate respect. Acknowledge your team’s hard work and achievements, both publicly and privately. Small gestures of gratitude can go a long way in making employees feel valued and respected.
A good way to do this is by using a program like Build Then Bless. It incentivizes gratitude and gives employees and managers the opportunity to thank each other, send gifts, and remember important dates like birthdays and anniversaries.
Recognizing Diverse Backgrounds
Understanding that employees come from diverse backgrounds and have different worldviews is essential for fostering respect. What one person might find acceptable, another might find disrespectful.
Be open to learning about these differences and adjust your behavior accordingly. This adaptability shows that you respect individual perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Being Open to Feedback
Encourage employees to provide feedback on what they find respectful or disrespectful. Create an open-door policy where team members can share their concerns without fear of retaliation. Act on this feedback to improve your approach and show that you are committed to fostering a respectful workplace.
Some employees may feel more comfortable with an anonymous approach—both for providing feedback and receiving it.
Holding Yourself Accountable
Accountability is crucial for maintaining respect in the workplace. Use tools like the Build Then Bless software to make respect a regular practice. BTB allows you to track interactions, gather feedback, and ensure that respect is consistently upheld. By holding yourself accountable, you set a positive example for the entire team.
Build Respect in and for the Workplace With Build Then Bless
Respect goes both ways. As a leader, it’s essential to show respect for your employees and foster an environment where they can also demonstrate respect for each other.
Build Then Bless is more than just a gratitude program; it’s a tool for building and maintaining respect in the workplace. With features like gift giving, anonymous feedback, and personalized reminders, BTB makes it easy to show appreciation and foster a culture of respect.
Try it out today and see the positive impact it can have on your team!
