Work ethic
Employees view work in different ways. One is job-oriented and performs his or her daily tasks only for the money, while another sees his job as a calling. All employees have a different work ethic. But what exactly is work ethic? And how can you motivate your employees?
Work ethic – also called work ethos – is nothing other than the inner will to work. It indicates how much commitment an employee puts into performing his or her tasks. Is someone willing to do everything for both customers and the organization without sacrificing themselves? Then such a person has a good work ethic. Note: this of course varies per employee, role and company.
Within the business world and the entertainment industry there are numerous examples of successful people with a strong work ethic. Take, for example, the famous basketball player Michael Jordan who did not rely on his natural talent, but every day worked on his skills. Or take Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple who reads users' e-mails daily tussen 4.00 en 5.00 uur in the morning . That immediately raises the question of whether someone can go too far in his work ethic. Yet a person's work ethic is not a fixed given. Sometimes you need a nudge in the right direction.
Different forms of work ethic
Although motivation plays an important role, there are also other factors that influence employees' work ethic. From research van de Universiteit van Michigan door Wayne Baker en Kathryn Dekas blijkt dat ouders een belangrijke rol spelen bij de beeldvorming van werkethiek van hun kinderen. Wanneer ouders dagelijks klagend thuiskomen, dan zullen hun kinderen later hun baan eerder als een last ervaren. Maar wanneer ouders met enige regelmaat het thuis bespreekbaar maken hoeveel voldoening ze krijgen van hun werk, dan is de kans groter dat kinderen op latere leeftijd hetzelfde ervaren.
Baker and Dekas also distinguish between three different forms of work ethic: a job, a career or a calling. People who approach work as a job focus mainly on the money. They fulfill all the tasks, but are otherwise not involved with the company. Is the employee focused on his or her career? Then professional development and success are central to them. And third, there are people who see their work as their calling. For these people it is primarily about personal development and about being able to make a positive contribution to the world around them through their work.
Boost employees' work ethic: 3 tips
Als an employer you can take action to increase the motivation and productivity of your employees. We give you three practical tips:
Develop a pleasant work environment
Het goes without saying, but ensure a pleasant working environment for employees. When an employee feels at ease in the office, that immediately affects their productivity. To create a pleasant workplace you can first look at what your employees need. Do they work better in silence? Then provide, for example, quiet rooms. Or set up separate spaces for meetings or to brainstorm. The presence of plants, good climate control and comfortable chairs also contribute to a pleasant working environment in the office. Look at what your people need and make sure they feel more at home in the office.
Allow room for flexibility
Since the coronavirus pandemic and the extensive working from home, the lines between office and private life have blurred. Employees have seen the advantages that the new way of working which it entails. Flexibility in terms of working hours or allowing work to be carried out at a different location can give a positive boost to employees' work ethic. Discuss what is possible to create more flexibility for your employees during their daily work.
Create a positive work culture
The daily coffee break is still important for maintaining interpersonal contact among employees. With hybrid working within an organization you lose those moments. Nevertheless, colleagues can stay in touch and keep each other informed about their daily tasks via Slack, WhatsApp or Zoom. Also consider the possibilities of a virtual drinks get-together or a digital exercise session to keep the bond between employees warm. Mutual involvement with colleagues and the organization makes an employee want to add value. It stimulates their work ethic.
