We’ve come a long ways from feudalism. There are better ways to get the job done.
A true story: A local business reads their employees emails and Instant Messages. And this company sells stuff for your home such as electronics and appliances. If you’re like me, you’re scratching your head wondering why in the world would this type of business feel the need to do such a thing.
I don’t know their rational. I don’t care to know their rational. All I know is, by choosing to invade their employees privacy shows disrespect and lack of trust. And working there must feel like a prison sentence. You can bet it shows in the level of commitment and attitude of their employees and the quality of their work.
I will admit there are companies where reading emails and IM’s is necessary — MicroSoft, IBM, the Pentagon, and the like. But the company I’m speaking of is located in Missoula, Montana and sells things for your home!
So why do they need to read their employees email and IM is beyond me. All it does is create an unpleasant atmosphere to work. And former employees spread the word. So before you know it, only outsiders apply for work there.
What I think it boils down to is an incompetent manager, who can’t lead or manage, needing the control this offers them. It’s a terrible and destructive way to manage. It does more harm than good. In every healthy company, there is some fun bantering and laughter — building of camaraderie. Instead, in companies like this one, you get stone-cold silence and really, really long work days. Yes the work gets done, but at what cost?
Employees come and go and each one that leaves this company is telling their story to anyone and everyone. Before you know it, the company has earned a reputation that no amount of money and advertising or slick web sites can cover up.
This manager needs to understand the value of TRUST and RESPECT. I suggest taking courses and reading books on management / leadership and learn how to get employees “loyalty” instead of using intimidation as a coercion to make them produce.
We’ve come a long ways from feudalism. There are better ways to get the job done.