The most critical problem is the lack of good washroom facilities. This is more glaring when a large female work
force is employed. Organizations must
pay more attention to this seemingly trivial matter. In majority of offices, a bathroom is shared
by number of employees on the same floor and even perhaps from a couple of floors.
Each office is given a key. But the
maintenance of a shared washroom is usually deplorable. As no one lays claim to ownership, there is a
tendency to slip up on the responsibility of keeping it clean.
Some enlightened companies,
however, employ an attendant whose sole business is to maintain the cloak room. On the part of the employees, they must curb
the temptation to visit the cloak frequently to brush their hair or freshen
their make-up. Some are prone to do this
more often than necessary. Male employees tend to frequent the toilet for a
quiet smoke which they indulge in more often than they ought to. Another misuse
of the cloak room is to occupy it for frequent gossip sessions. It is common to see a couple of employees
signaling to each other to converge in the cloak room where they indulge in
gossip, exchange personal frustrations or just embark on idle chatter. The employer must be considerate enough to
provide a proper cloak room for the employees but they, on their part, must not
misuse it.
No doubt, limited space is
an insurmountable constraint. Perhaps
this is one of the reasons why few organizations can provide a lunch-cum-rest
room for their employees. With a bit of planning
and some imaginative interior design, may be some secluded corner which is
otherwise not congenial as a work place can be made into a corner for
relaxation. Of course, employees can
either eat in a canteen, if there is one, or go out or eat at their own table. But for those who like to rest, this cozy
corner will help. Besides, it can act as
a temporary sick bay for those who suddenly fall ill or are attacked by a
headache or stomach upset.
Many organizations have a
staff eating room or canteen. This is a
welcome facility but unfortunately, it is usually badly maintained. Hygiene is the first victim in many of these. Some canteens are very smoky and have rickety
tables and chairs which are carelessly cleaned.
Lunch hour is a precious time for employees – giving them as much break
from work as sustenance for the latter half of the day. A little care and concern is this matter will
go a long way in winning their gratitude. Something as basic as drinking water and a
cooler are denied to many employees who have to carry their day’s quota from
home. If a cooler is provided, either
it’s not filled or cleaned or there are no glasses around.
Employers are under the
mistaken notion that annual increments, bonuses and surprise money incentives
will keep their employees happy. Personnel and welfare mangers are kept busy
working out allowances and cash benefits. But these, though welcome, are not
enough. What an employee appreciates is the organization’s attempts to make
their working life more comfortable and pleasant. It takes the sting out of a
nine to five routine.
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