Understanding the Employer Employee Relationship

Landing an exciting job is a dream come true for any employee. But is that enough to keep them motivated, productive, and happy in the workplace? What about the employer? Isn’t it important to have a strong, healthy, comfortable employer employee relationship? Would that make a difference?

Take this scenario for instance. You just started working at your new workplace, your dream job. You are happy with the office surroundings, the company culture, your colleagues, the nature of your work etc.

But there is quite a disconnect between you and your employer. And no matter what you do the air between you two just seems odd and uncomfortable. Would you be happy and be able to go on working like that?

Think about it. Wouldn’t you rather have a better relationship with the one who employed you? Don’t you think having one would help in shaping your future? Short answer, it would make a sea of difference.

What is an Employer Employee Relationship?

A new employee is more than just another hire. When an employer hires a new individual to be part of the organization, he/she is not just adding another face to the team but starting a new relationship. Now you may think, does this hold enough importance to be talked about? It does. You spend more than half your day working in close quarters with them. In most cases, the time one spends at the workplace far exceeds the time they spend at home.

Managing employees and taking them forward the right way makes a mountain of difference and plays a vital role in deciding the success of an organization. Achieving this is not that hard and much easier than you think. You just need to keep in mind the dynamics of employer-employee relationship in mind to make the most out of it.

Advantages of employer-employee relationship

A strong employer-employee relationship benefits both parties. For instance, an employee may be looking for other opportunities, but the employer is not happy about losing them. But if there is a right employer-employee dynamic, have no doubts, the employer will have the best interests at heart for the employee and will provide a positive employer reference to help forward their career. Additionally, there are other benefits of having a good employer-employee relationship.

Increased productivity

The right vibe and a pleasant environment automatically translate to better productivity. When there is positivity in the workplace, the employer gains confidence to work better, leading to increased productivity. A good employer-employee relationship can help create this.

Higher loyalty

The happier the employee, the higher his loyalty, because why would anyone leave a job if they were happy at it? A healthy employer-employee relationship leads to higher employee retention. Also, one of the biggest problems organizations faces is their high employee turnover rates leading to the loss of skilled and trained employees. If having employee relations programs can solve the problem, then we suggest jump on it now.

A conflict free work environment

No squabbles between the employer and employee means a conflict free workplace. This helps in developing a cordial relationship with the rest of the workforce too.

How to Improve Employer Employee Relationship?

There are several ways this can be achieved. The responsibilities of an employer in helping achieve a better relationship far outweigh the employee’s responsibility.

Some of the employer responsibilities include-

1. Being real and genuine.

It works best to be your real self. Employees appreciate genuine employers, and they can see right through you if you are pretending to say something you do not mean. Mean your words. Set clear, but reasonable expectations about their job roles and the performance you expect of them. But at the same time, do not micromanage. Try to give them the freedom to work and you will see results far beyond your expectations.

2. Provide them with a safe and healthy environment.

Make sure that employees feel safe while working in the organization.

• Maintain rules and regulations that are in the best interests of all employees’ wellbeing.
• Promoting a diverse and inclusive approach is a good step to ensuring a healthier work environment.
• A good work life balance is also something that reads healthy workplace rules. Do not make employees feel guilty for taking leaves for their personal work. Instead, be supportive.

A healthy work environment can help employees work 10 times better.

3. Communicate effectively.

Yes, you can text, email or even send instant messages, but make sure you communicate with employees face-to-face and convey whatever you want to, directly.

• Speak clearly.
• Be transparent in your communication.
• Build trust and open channels of communication.
• Do not leave conflicts or misunderstandings unattended. Resolve them immediately.
• In case of any organizational changes, make sure you communicate it to employees immediately and clearly.

4. Performance management and feedback

Understand what your employees are doing and how they are doing it. Performance management is an important part of maintaining a healthy employer-employee relationship. Ensure that you –

• Establish clear Performance Goals and Expectations.
• Regularly evaluate Performance Reviews and Feedback Sessions.
• Provide the right Employee Development and Training Opportunities.
• Deal effectively with Performance Issues and Corrective Action.

According to Growth Divide Study, 94% of employees stated that they would prefer their manager giving them feedback and development opportunities in real-time, while 81% would prefer at least quarterly check-ins with their manager.

5. Provide benefits and rewards to employees

Employees look for that extra benefit when they decide on a company. Make sure you provide discretionary benefits like private health and life insurance, travelling allowance, paternity leave, relocation allowance, etc.

The other types of benefits that can help enhance employer-employee relationship is –

• Providing them flexible work arrangements, encouraging remote work policies.
• Arrange employee recognition and rewards programs.
• Support employee mental and physical well-being by encouraging seminars, employee. feedback, group discussions etc.

6. Promote a healthy work life balance

Support work-life balance of employees:

• Offer flexible and remote working.
• Encourage managers to focus on productivity rather than hours.
• Encourage breaks.
• Regularly review workloads.
• Lead by example.
• Give employees time to volunteer.
• Reconsider time off.
• Increase support for parents.

7. Promote a Positive Organizational Culture

A healthy, happy vibe in the workplace is the secret to having productive employees. As an employer it is your responsible to promote a positive work culture. Some of the ways to enforce this are by-

• Creating a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace Culture
• Encouraging employee engagement, Teamwork and Collaboration
• Celebrating Diversity and Individual Contributions
• Instilling Company Values and Mission

A study by Gallup, conducted across a broad range of industries, showed that employee engagement is a critical factor, no matter the industry.

8. Do not make compromises on the legal aspects of the employer employee relationship

Ensuring legality and compliance is one of the most important tasks. Employees must be assured of being secure from any legal actions in the workplace.

Some of the legal aspects that you can put in place are –

• Employment Contracts and Agreements
• Termination and Severance Policies
• Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Laws
• Handling Employee Disputes and Legal Issues

Future Trends in Employer-Employee Relations

The importance of employer-employee relationship is drastically changing and has been given top priority by many employers. Some of the best practices for the future work and for building a healthy employer-employee relationship are-

• Promoting remote and hybrid work models
• Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
• Focus on Employee Wellbeing
• Digital Transformation
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Remote Onboarding and Training
• Data-Driven HR (Human Resources) Decisions
• Freelance and Gig Work
• Employee Voice and Feedback
• Upskilling and Lifelong Learning
• Remote Team Building
• Environmental and Social Responsibility
• Employee Monitoring and Privacy Concerns

Stronger Employer-Employee Relationships can Build Better Organisations.

Not every business is the same. What works for one may not work for another. Create your own set of ideals to model and effective employer-employee relationship. Find out what works for you and carve a path accordingly. Prioritizing employer-employee relationship can set your business in motion towards success.

Not to forget to make a better organization is not only the employer’s responsibility. Employees also hold a big part in it. Better employees make better organizations. If you are looking for assistance to build a better workforce, we can help. Contact us today if you are looking for effective staffing and recruitment solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the relationship between employer and employee?

Employer-employee relationship is a reciprocal partnership that benefits both parties. Employees offer their skills, time, and effort to contribute to the success of the employer’s business, while employers provide compensation, opportunities for growth, and a stable work environment for their employees. When this relationship is nurtured and balanced, it can lead to a positive work culture, increased productivity, and long-term success for both the employer and the employees.

2. What is the importance of employer employee relationship?

The employer-employee relationship is vital because it impacts the overall performance, culture, and success of an organization. Prioritizing a positive and supportive relationship helps build a strong workforce, promotes employee well-being, and contributes to the company’s growth and prosperity.