Employees should feel a sense of belonging

Some friends were discussing the slowdown in their businesses. While the majority were expressing concern over decreasing margins, one said, "I have good people in my company. They will re-shape my business soon. They are my assets." Like him, many want to create a good and quality workforce in their business.

Selection of staff, while a key issue, does not end with recruiting good candidates alone. More than that we need to motivate and retain them in their jobs.

We have to align them in a task that they must be fit for both normal and crises situations. It is obvious we must need an appropriate structure at a time where the process of change is required.

Here, clarification is required for action! Carefully design the structure that aims for business development or control costs. Some look at manpower costs as a rich source for saving.

Experts and consultants could bring us wonderful ideas like productivity, cost improvement, rationalisation, downsizing, rightsizing, restructuring, re-engineering, etc. Employees consider this as an indirect method to reduce their numbers. That means that real and competent people no longer have work in the organisation.

What will happen to people with aspirations, career plans, loyalty, dedication, and competency when suddenly the organisation gives them an unpleasant turn.

The organisation must always aim to retain its creditability as a quality company to the employer, customers and employees. Selecting good people is not easy if there is no decent compensation. Pay them a nice package and you get motivation.

Despite temporary hardships in business, do not do away with people in the name of cost control. With good quality staff on the payrolls, businesses will not lose revenues in the long run. We must be positive and create a sense of belonging.

At one of the leading companies in India, when some employees showed a willingness for voluntary retirement schemes, the owners stopped them and continued to pay some compensation for layoffs and kept motivation among the rest of the workforce.

There is no layoff policy in the Gulf. However, there are many good employers who have taken care of the committed and efficient work force during crises.

Recently, one employer of a major contracting company did not want to cancel employees' visas when there was no work. He provided the staff with tickets and sent them on long leave. And called them back when operations resumed.

This is a good practice and a humane approach. It is needed even in business.

Pon Mohaideen Pitchai is a Dubai-based HRD consultant