Loyalty - The Unvarnished Truth

 Employees can handle the truth.

Based on my 45 years of varied experiences employees can handle the truth.

What they do not like is BS, or the old soft sell (trimming the truth), and the real truth eventually leaks out anyway.

Some business matters must be kept in the executive offices or among the owners, but most business matters become obvious to the employees, especially matters the employees care about, like compensation.

When and how you keep employees informed depends on the type of information, the timing of the information and the critical-or-not nature of the information.

What Young People Think (Loyalty Series)

 I spend a lot of time with young people.

Many are doing after school and summer jobs. Some are starting adult work.

Biggest complaint?

Supervisors.

Poorly trained, volatile, inconsistent supervisors.

And what contributes most to turnover?  Apparently......

Supervisors.

Being on the job the longest does not make one qualified to be a supervisor.

Train, train and retrain.

Supervise the supervisors.

Loyalty - Employment at Will

 Many employers prefer "employment-at-will" (EAW) which allows employers to lay-off or fire employees (with no contract or union) without cause and without notice.

(Subject to federal and state civil rights regulations.)

But many employers expect a two week or more notice from employees when they resign or just plain quit. 

Employers cannot have it both ways. Employers can request a two week notice but generally cannot require a two week notice.

A good relationship with an experienced employment lawyer is a wise investment.

Always be up-to-date with federal and state regulations (and in some cases city regulations).

More to follow. This is not legal advice.

The Loyalty Issue

 Loyalty is an ongoing discussion.

Employers want loyalty from employees.

Employee expect some level of loyalty from employers.

Balancing the equation is very very difficult.

Are Video Cameras Now Mandatory?

 Many businesses, especially in small retail, have video camera coverage.

Many, but not all.

Question: Is the risk environment such that every business with live customers and/or employees need video cameras?

Offices? Warehouses? Construction sites? Every place?

We are starting to think the answer is yes. 

Answer the Damn Phone!

If you have a business telephone, answer the damn phone.

If you use voicemail,  listen to the messages and promptly return the calls.

If you use email read the emails and answer the emails that require an answer. Promptly.

Just answer the damn phone!!!

(If you cannot tell I am a frustrated consumer at the moment!)

Monthly Reviews

 Internal controls require regular reviews by a person not involved in originating or recording the transaction.

Boring and time consuming? yes.

Monthly reviews for the small business should include:

Bank account reconciliations, including e-payments

Debit and credit card reviews  (these appear to be the most frequent means of employee theft)

Account receivable reconciliation (beginning + charges - collections = ending)

Payroll (every pay period and month end)

Inventory inputs and outputs

Others depending on the business model.

Not enough time? Somebody has to make time.