Not About Us and Them: Dealing With Employee-Manager Conflict in 4 Ways

StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |employee manager conflict|Not About Us and Them: Dealing With Employee-Manager Conflict in 4 WaysOne of the toughest things about being a leader is making employees feel more at ease with who they are so they can do their job better. When we encounter conflict between us and them, as inevitable as it is, we cannot avoid conflict as this will result in chaos, but we’ve got to ensure that we have the right strategies to resolve conflicts between ourselves and employees. If somebody disagrees with how you are leading, think of the following:

Actively Listen

One of the most difficult things in emotionally charged situations is actually focusing on the other person. One of the most fundamental tenets of any human resources training, whether it is coaching salespeople who don’t want to be coached or learning soft skills, is to block out any urges to form a response and just listen. If you find yourself preparing your response while the other person is talking, it can be difficult to get rid of this, but you need to actively listen, but you will need to do this from a place of empathy.

Showing empathy towards your employees is vital to establishing a trusting relationship. When there is a conflict between the employee and the manager, it’s vital to acknowledge how employees are feeling and understand where they are coming from. Rather than responding with something like “I’m sorry you feel that way,” if the problem has stemmed from you, accountability is important, and reframing the “I’m sorry you feel that way” response into “I’m sorry that I’m making you feel this way” is acknowledging responsibility rather than having a non-committal response.


Focus on Behavior

When we’re trying to resolve a conflict, we should never focus our words on the person. We need to focus on the behavior rather than the person responsible. If we target the person, it’s very much like pointing fingers at them and establishing blame. Somebody can behave in any way they want, but we should never enter into a discussion where we are calling into question the employee, whether it’s their beliefs or values.

Remove Yourself From Your Biases

Self-awareness is such an important trait in leaders. We need to acknowledge our biases, preconceptions, and trigger points, which form the basis of many aspects of unconscious bias training. Having the self-awareness to describe how you see the world means you can adequately enact strategies to see other points of view. This means you have got to be aware of how you respond to conflict. Do you avoid, accommodate, compromise, or collaborate? These four components provide the starting point to help you realize where you can improve.

Exhaust Your Toolkit Before Bringing In HR

It’s easy to rely on HR to deal with this, but any good leader will be able to understand if the conflict is an ongoing or a one-time situation. Documenting these conversations is so important, and if a simple conversation doesn’t solve the issue, this is when HR can get involved.

It’s one of the hardest things to get right, but conflict is commonplace, and to be a successful leader, you should know how to work towards a proper solution.

How to Motivate Your Staff – Enjoy Improved Productivity and Efficiency

StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Motivate your staff|How to Motivate Your Staff – Enjoy Improved Productivity and EfficiencyBusiness owners often make the assumption that by hiring qualified staff, making sure all departments have enough employees, and setting up systems that appear user-friendly enough that everything will go well. But here’s the thing, staff are people – not machines – which means variables such as workplace stress and pressure can negatively affect them. Business owners must recognise this to be the case and have a workable solution.

Here’s a look at how you can motivate your staff, help them to cope with the stress and pressure of the job, and in turn enjoy improved productivity and efficiency.

Enrol in Resilience Training for Business

The first tip is to get educated. Being an effective leader means you recognize when something is outside your realm of knowledge and that you seek out information to educate yourself. Training that teaches you how to be more resilient is an excellent choice for a company owner and upper management.

Look for training courses that address how to cope better with pressure and stress, which you can apply to your employees and teach them about. This can be done when you create the kind of work environment that is proactive, solution-based, and positive. That is the exact messaging that motivates employees in all the right ways. Learning how to be more resilient also means that you roll with the punches and you learn to thrive despite outside stressors.


Encourage Communication at All Levels

Another useful tip is to encourage and improve communication at all levels of the company. Staff needs to feel comfortable communicating with each other, their supervisors, and upper management. It shouldn’t be fear-based wherein employees would rather stay quiet than “get in trouble”.

Communication ensures that systems and processes run smoothly, everyone is on the same page, concerns and issues are shared promptly, and those good ideas get heard. Excellent communication helps to build a more inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels valued.

Employee Rewards Can Go a Long Way

In terms of motivating employees, offering rewards for a job well done can go a long way. This can be in the form of extra holiday time, bonuses, profit-sharing, paying for courses that better their qualifications, and even incentive programs.

Give Thought to the Physical Environment

You can take all the training courses and say all the right things to your employees but if you don’t also think about the physical work environment, then you won’t be successful in motivating staff. Staff want to work in an environment that allows them to do their job safely and comfortably, so ask yourself if this is being achieved in the current set-up?

Perhaps you need to invest in new equipment (office furniture, computers, printers, and so forth), maybe you need to create more space for employees, offer them a fully-stocked breakroom, and bring more natural light into the space.

It Won’t Take Long to See the Benefits

Once you embrace these tips and realise that motivating staff is to the benefit of all, it won’t be long before you start to see the positive results.

How To Boost Workplace Concentration

StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Boost Workplace Concentration|How To Boost Workplace ConcentrationWhether you are an entrepreneur that wants to keep going and avoid burnout or a company boss that wants to improve the efficiency of their employees, it is ideal to know how to improve focus motivation.

This guide will share the best tips to improve workplace concentration, which will enhance motivation, drive, and efficiency.

Improve the air quality

A lack of air quality will significantly reduce the focus levels in the workplace. Whether the office or warehouse is hot and stuffy or dark, it will impact how well an employee can concentrate.

To improve air quality, it is essential to take the following steps:

  • Use the right window coverings. Should your workplace’s window coverings be big, dark, or old, then they might be hindering the air quality in the space. Taking them down or replacing them with lighter materials will help air pass through easily, especially when the windows are open.
  • Install the right tools. Whether it be air conditioning or dust collectors, it is important to install the right tools to help improve air quality. For example, if you work in an industrial setting then it will benefit your workers if you install Industrial Baghouse Dust Collectors as these can help to improve the air quality within your warehouse, which can not only help to elongate the lifetime of machinery but also help improve the air that the staff breathes in. The better the air quality, the more employees will be able to focus and produce better or more work.
  • Office plants. If you work in an office, then simply adding plants can help to improve the air quality. They will help to soak up humidity and offer oxygen, which will help to regulate and improve the air.

Encourage employees to switch off other devices

Although it might feel strange to ask your employees to switch off their personal devices, it can be a tremendous effort in improving concentration. If an employee has their mobile phone sat on their desk all day and each time they get a notification they check their phone, then it will be hindering their focus and efforts.

Hence, then switch off from personal devices to then switch on to work devices will help employees maintain focus and avoid distractions.

Play music or other noises

Speaking of distractions, it can sometimes help employees improve their focus if they have something to listen to. Sometimes the street noise or other unexpected noises can impact how concentration.

Therefore, playing the radio or white noise in the background while everyone is working can help everyone not flinch when they hear a loud horn outside the office or a pen falling off of a desk.

Change the workplace layout

Whether you own an office or other type of workplace, it can often help to change the layout. Sometimes the same old setup can hinder employees’ ability to focus and feel motivated.

Switching where the desks are or facing everyone towards the big windows can help them feel like they are in a new setting, which can often help to enhance focus and productivity.

Encourage time out

Although some employees might work their way through their lunchtime and get a good amount done each day, it won’t be good for their concentration levels. If a person sits in front of their desk all day and doesn’t move, then they will likely start to lose focus in the afternoon.

Hence, it is good to encourage time out. Whether that be ten minutes in the fresh air every 90 minutes or an extended lunch break, everyone can benefit from time out to refresh their mind.

Get fresh air

Although the air quality in the office might have improved after changing the window coverings or installing the right tools, sometimes proper bouts of fresh air are more beneficial for boosting concentration levels.

Hence, ensure to encourage employees to get fresh air. Exercising the mind at lunchtime can help to recentre the mind and boost motivation.

Set log-on and log-off times

Should employees often work at random times of the day, such as starting earlier than they should be and finishing later, then it will be a good idea to set strict log-on and log-off times.

This will help them avoid burnout and only work as much as they need to. For instance, if the office hours at typically 9 to 5, then make sure employees do not work outside of those hours unless they really need to. If an employee wants to work more, then ensure to offer them more time out (an extended lunch or half a day off).

5 Things You Need To Know To Set Up A Successful Grow Room

StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Successful Grow Room|5 Things You Need To Know To Set Up A Successful Grow RoomSetting up a successful grow room is not as easy as planting some seeds and watering them. There are many factors to consider, such as the size of the room, the type of plants you want to grow, and the type of light you will be using. These 5 things are just that start of what you need to know to set up a successful grow room!

The Structure Of The Room

The first thing you need to do when planning to set up a grow room is deciding on the room’s structure. Will it be indoors or outdoors? If you are growing plants that require a lot of light, you will need to set up your grow room in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. If you are growing plants that do not require as much light, you can set up your grow room in a shaded area.

Indoor grow rooms have the advantage of being more controlled environments, but they also come with the added cost of purchasing grow lights. Outdoor grow rooms rely on natural sunlight, but you need to ensure that your plants are protected from the elements.

Size Of Your Room

The size of your grow room will depend on the number of plants you want to grow. If you are only growing a few plants, a small grow room will suffice. However, if you plan to develop a large number or quantity of plants, you will need a larger space.

Lighting

One of the most critical factors in setting up a grow room is the lighting you will be using. The type of light you use will determine how well your plants grow. Two main types of lighting can be used in a grow room: natural light and artificial light.

Natural light is the best type for plants, but it is not always possible to get enough of it. If you are growing plants that require a lot of light, you will need to set up your grow room in an area that gets plenty of sunlight.

Artificial light is the next best thing to natural light and can be used to supplement the amount of light your plants are getting. Many different artificial lights can be used in a grow room, such as fluorescent lights, LED lights, and HID lights.

Each type of light has its advantages and disadvantages, so you will need to research to determine which one is best for your plants.

Ventilation

No matter which type of grow room you choose, you will need to ensure that it is well-ventilated. Good ventilation is essential for keeping your plants healthy and preventing diseases.

Proper ventilation is necessary to remove the heat and humidity that can build up in a grow room. If the temperature and humidity are not controlled, it can create an environment conducive to mold and mildew growth.

Many different ventilation systems can be used in a grow room, such as exhaust fans, inline fans, and oscillating fans. You will need to determine which type of ventilation system is best for your grow room based on the size of the room and the number of plants you are growing.

Humidity And Temperature Control

When setting up a grow room, the last factor is humidity and temperature control. The humidity and temperature in a grow room need to be carefully controlled to create an environment conducive to plant growth.

There are many different ways to control the humidity and temperature in a grow room, such as using a humidifier, dehumidifier, air conditioner, or heater.

The walls are essential too. Your best option is cultivation room wall panels, as they help you create an isolated space and regulate the temperature and humidity in the room.

You will need to determine which humidity and temperature control method is best for your grow room based on the size of the room and the number of plants you are growing.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when setting up a grow room. However, if you take the time to plan and research, you will be well on your way to creating a successful grow room.

Things That Payroll Officers Must Avoid

StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article | Things That Payroll Officers Must AvoidThere are several things that payroll providers must avoid. These violations can lead to imprisonment and fines of up to $10,000. Many employers try to comply with the law, but they are still prone to mistakes that could cost businesses money and reputation.

Falsifying wages

Employees can falsify their wages to benefit themselves or employers. Falsified wages are common ways to cheat payroll departments. Employees may also use their payroll access to forge or alter checks and alter the amounts. Physical reviews are also easier to develop and steal.

Another way to defraud a payroll system is to perform timesheet fraud. This involves submitting timesheets that do not accurately represent an employee’s work schedule. This method is prevalent among non-exempt employees, who may use false timesheets to cover up a problem. An employer can correct time records before wages are paid to prevent any further fraud. Falsifying wages is something that payroll officers must avoid.

Falsifying hours worked

One of the biggest problems in the workplace is that employees may be tempted to falsify their timesheets. Even if you are not at fault, it is vital to maintain accurate time records for both exempt and nonexempt employees. It is critical to keep correct documents of all time spent working, including meal breaks and constant changes. You should also justify what will happen if an employee submits a timesheet containing false information. You should always review your timesheet policy with your employees and ask about any discrepancies in time records. This way, you can resolve any issues before payroll time arrives.

Another ordinary mistake payroll officers must watch out for is the use of ghost hourly employees. This type of employee uses the payroll system to steal from a company. In a larger company, ghost hourly employees may use this scheme to take advantage of the company’s payroll system. Regular audits of payroll records will help you spot irregularities and inconsistencies in payroll budgets. Falsifying hours is also possible with sophisticated time clocks that require employees to enter a unique passcode for each employee.

Falsifying tax forms

While employers who pay their employees in cash have many risks, one of the biggest is the risk of misclassifying them. If payroll officers don’t classify employees correctly, they may violate federal tax laws. The consequences of misclassification can include fines of up to $25,000 per instance and penalties and back payroll taxes. To avoid such a scenario, payroll officers should work with a competent payroll company to classify employees correctly.

Falsifying sick days

In the workplace, employees must give as much notice as possible if they will miss a shift. Unfortunately, many will try to resolve the issue, saying they will return later, but this isn’t appropriate. Instead, call to explain that they’re sick and tell your employer when you expect to return. While coming in with a cough may be uncomfortable, it is still better than not coming in.

While some employees may be able to make it through the workday with the excuse that they’re ill, some might try to fake it. This can cost a company money and goodwill, so it’s vital to have a system to catch false claims. A drive-by of an employee’s house is one way to catch someone out with fake sick days. When a supervisor sees someone on camera, they’ll be fired or given their job back.

Falsifying vacation

There are multiple ways in which an employee may be misclassified as a fake employee. In some instances, employees have been caught doing something illegal, like falsifying vacation hours, and payroll officers are often responsible. Payroll officers may have detected irregularities and declined to process them, but employees and managers have also criticized them. Falsifying vacation and severance hours for employees can be a significant problem, and the consequences of these actions could be costly.