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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
I have issues at the facility with associates feeling that they are entitled to certain benefits. In 1997 the Company was purchased by a foreign Company from Israel. When they took over the associates
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Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
posted at 10/1/1999 3:27 AM EDT
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Posts: 14
First: 10/1/1999 Last: 5/24/2000 |
I have issues at the facility with associates feeling that they are entitled to certain benefits. In 1997 the Company was purchased by a foreign Company from Israel. When they took over the associates lost nothing, if anything benefits, wages, working conditions have improved. However since then it has been nothing but gripe, gripe, gripe. It seems that no matter what we try to improve the situation, company outings, bonus programs, cookouts, etc., nothing helps. We try surveys and get maybe 10 to 15% back. Monthly communication meetings with the Plant Manager and HR Manager and all employees and nothing is brought up. Help!! How can we change this and move forward? I have been here for almost two years and am running out of ideas. |
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
posted at 10/3/1999 5:18 PM EDT
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Posts: 833
First: 6/11/1999 Last: 8/23/2001 |
Picnics, outings, and social events are pretty much short-term bursts that, when over, return everyone to the place they were griping about.
How about singling out some of the head gripers, form a focus group for morale, and ask them: "If you could, what would you change?" Brainstorm for ideas without making judgements or decisions on feasibility. Forget the other managers' involvement for now - maybe your people are not opening up because their boss is sitting in the meeting. Handle it yourself - or delegate it to one neutral manager. The griping may be a transference of dissatisfaction based on an oppressive boss. |
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
posted at 10/3/1999 11:23 PM EDT
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Posts: 323
First: 6/15/1999 Last: 9/9/2011 |
One of the programs in my organization developed their own "focus" group - they named it The Ways and Means Committee! They meet regularly, have a group appointed "leader", and they submit (in writing) to the program director their issues/complaints. These are reviewed by the program director and a response (in writing) is provided to the committee. The response indicates whether an issue is in the process of being addressed, how it will be addressed, that further discussion or additional information is needed, or why it cannot be addressed at this time - EACH issue is listed. So far, so good. Only a few items have been of the "entitlement mentality" variety. A number of them have addressed real program quality issues, indicating the staff do care about more than just how to get more for less.
Wish I could take credit for initiating the above, but I can't. I think the reason it might work is because the staff developed it and therefore feel invested. My role may only be to monitor the substance of management responses. |
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
posted at 10/5/1999 3:07 AM EDT
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Posts: 136
First: 9/14/1999 Last: 6/29/2004 |
Other than your dissatisfaction and given that you have two years of experience with this now, what are the consequences of this complaining. You might wish to look at the benefit they are deriving from the complaining and work backwards. I like the focus group activity but wonder about the cost to the organization. It is not surprising that the surveys and picnics, are getting no where. It would seem that you are looking at the problems through your eyes rather than theirs. Your intentions are good but ... |
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
posted at 10/7/1999 4:04 AM EDT
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Posts: 136
First: 9/14/1999 Last: 6/29/2004 |
Unless the employees are meeting and doing the write ups (if any) on their own time, then the corp. is paying their salary. It is possible that the benefit out ways the fiscal costs but I think it is reasonable to look at the costs before engaging in an activity. Also we need to assume that the recommendations which might be generated out of such a committee would be a cost factor. It is again possible that the benefit to the organization outways the costs, but recommendations should not be ignored if the committe is being sactioned by the corp. Those are the cost factors I am relating to in my comment. |
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HELP!! entitlement mentality how to change it!
posted at 10/17/1999 11:01 PM EDT
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Posts: 30
First: 8/16/1999 Last: 1/21/2004 |
I would be careful, under some instances an employee group can be perceived as organized labor group. I wouldn't go that route if I didn't have to. If the complaints are petty then a group is only going to highlight the petty problems and not get to the route of the problem. First, what I would ask myself is where are the complaints coming from, one department more than others, one group of people more than others (long term employees or short term). What is the turnover rate? Who is leaving and why? Asking these questions usually start to point you in the right direction as to what the problems really are. Our business is seasonal and sure enough, in the slower times, employees complain more. Maybe your employees aren't busy enough. Food for thought. Good luck. |
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