Respect is Top Contributor to Employee Satisfaction

A fat paycheck and regular performance bonuses are never worth it if you’re getting it by being treated like dirt at the workplace, anyway. Chances are you’ll want out if stuck in such a scenario.

Just a Little Bit

A recent survey from the Society for Human Resource Management found that more than money, employees want one thing from the management and co-workers: R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

72% of the respondents said “respectful treatment of all employees at all levels” is the top contributor to their job satisfaction, with “trust between employees and senior management” ranking second at 64%. Benefits (63%), compensation/pay (61%), and job security (59%) round out the top 5 factors in job satisfaction.

Happiness at Work

So, what about the actual work? It came in at no. 11 on the list. This just goes to show it’s not just the money that motivates us to get up in the morning and drag ourselves to the office. You might not notice it, but it’s more of the people you work with. While pay is important, at the end of the day, workplace culture is regarded with higher esteem. Good rapport leads to great reports.

I know from the many workplaces I’ve visited and talked at that an office where employees treat one another with respect and civility is far more likely to be productive. Respect begets respect, as they say, and this often starts at the top, so it’s only logical you should take a look at your leadership first.

Respect in Team

Are you respectful as an officer of your company? Do employees trust you? Because if they do, you’re giving them a perception of safety, which then encourages organizational potential. Following the “Do as you are told” leadership style comes across as threatening or intimidating, which diminishes your team’s productivity. Even if people say they thrive under pressure, you bearing down on them will affect their work.

Conversely, when you create a work environment that value, appreciate, and nurture employees, you’re fostering collaboration and resilience. In their minds, individual success becomes intertwined with company success. This is the secret of effective organizations.

To paraphrase the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, most employees are just asking for a little respect. Trust me, it goes a long way.

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