Most people agree that two of the biggest motivations for an employee inquiring or opting to stay with a company for a long time is through financial incentives, such as by having a competitive wage and being the recipient of employee benefits.
But there's something to be said for the overall atmosphere an office place has, as a friendly, polite staff can make work enjoyable. And, based on a recent poll, one thing that workers value highly is good manners.
In a recent survey conducted by recruitment and staffing firm Accountemps, more than eight in 10 polling participants indicated that the overall courteousness of their fellow co-workers had an impact on their career path. Additionally, 70 percent indicated that the more prestigious of a job title their co-workers or supervisors had, the less polite they tended to be.
A lack of proper manners didn't necessarily mean that co-workers were being openly rude, but rather not taking into consideration the feelings or sentiments of others, such as by being a distraction. For example, when respondents were asked what behaviors were the best examples of not adhering to some form of decorum in a workplace setting, more than one-third said it was using a speakerphone or talking loudly during a phone conversation, Accountemps revealed. More than 1 in 5 said talking around a co-worker's desk was the biggest breach of workplace etiquette and 15 percent indicated it was eating smelly foods.
"Workplace etiquette is about being aware of how your actions affect those around you," said Max Messmer, chairman of the Menlo, California-based staffing company. "Time constraints and external pressures aren't excuses for bad behavior."
Survey: Courtesy lowers as employees advance
Not only do business owners need to be mindful of how their co-workers treat one another, but they themselves might want to assess whether they're being as courteous as they ought to be. When respondents were asked whether people become less or more courteous as they ascend the corporate ladder, 7 in 10 said that they tend to become less mindful of others.
Having an office with a high retention rate can be a delicate balancing act. Not only does there need to be a good atmosphere, but workers have to feel like they're being paid what they ought to be based on their experience and value to the company. According to a recent survey performed by CareerBuilder, nearly two-thirds of Americans don't feel like they're making what they should be. Roughly 33 percent, meanwhile, think they do.
How much is enough? For those making $75,000 to $100,000, more than half of workers say they earn their desired salary, CareerBuilder found.
Of course, what business owners believe their employees should be paid is up to them and the means of the company. This study is worth noting, though, because it points out that the salary and perks that come with a job still have a major influence on workers' motivations.
