Don’t let employees fall through the cracks.
By Jennifer Paulson
You’ve probably seen the buzz about a concept called “quiet quitting”—when employees reduce productivity and only do the bare minimum of their workload to keep their paychecks. You might’ve dismissed it as a woe of corporate America, but the truth is, it could happen in your own barn.
“Quiet quitting” is more a generational concept than one having to do with the type of work people do. The idea of workplace happiness is a fairly new concept, unique to younger generations’ mindsets. These people are newer to the workforce and have the added perceived pressure being constantly accessible.
How do you prevent it from becoming a problem in your barn?
Respect boundaries. When your employee is on a vacation, day off, or even just a short break, mind their personal time. Unless it’s urgent, wait until he or she is “back on the clock” to to make requests and cover work topics.
Encourage work/life balance. Your barn’s culture might include a lot of group activities—lunches, dinners, outings. Remember that your employees have lives away from the barn and might prefer to spend time with connections they don’t work with day in and day out.
Set goals together, based on milestones and achievements. When both you and your employee know what you’re working toward, it’s easier to keep your eyes on the desired outcome. Less concrete goals can lead to dissatisfaction among employees.
Offer praise and encouragement. It’s easy to move from one task to the next. But offering even a small gesture of praise or gratitude is free and goes a long way for employee satisfaction, which keeps your staff motivated and engaged.
Pay fairly. It’s not free, but an employee who feels fairly compensated is much more willing to do the work and put in a little extra when needed.
