Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
For those not receiving an invite to the joyous Human Resources buzz word party, employee engagement is a phrase used to describe how motivated, or excited employees are in their role. Organizations with a strategic HR function run surveys on their employees to understand the level of engagement at the company. Certainly, other items are measured, but without actively engaged, motivated, and excited employees, is their really a company at all?
Besides the famous “PC Load Letter” scene, the below clip from Office Space is my favorite. Not because it’s full of goofy giggles, but just because it just hits spot on with how a disengaged employee feels. Mike Judge, director of Office Space, knocks it out of the park. Watch this short clip (just under 4 minutes), and then go down to the bottom for a quick review:
So, how do we know Peter is disengaged? That’s easy. He comes right out and confesses to coming in late, and spacing out for a couple hours a day. But, the absolute best quote is when Peter explains that while he has a fear of losing his job, that fear will only make someone work just hard enough to not get fired. Oh Mike Judge, you are so profound!
Can you imagine how many of today’s workers just do whatever they can simply keep their job? With the job market the way it is, employees realize they basically need to just suck it up, and do the minimal amount of work required just to get by. What a nightmare. But, hanging on like that does eventually get noticed by the employer. So, what is the employers course of action? Hopefully, they choose to have an open conversation with the employee, which can lead to a resolution. In this case, the employer becomes a hero, simply using words. What unfortunately happens most often is warnings are fired out at the employee and nothing changes, eventually leading to a termination.
So, what should YOU do if you are unmotivated, and disengaged at work?
- Don’t be bashful. Have a conversation with your supervisor look into an immediate resolution, if there is one.
- Look for a position internally in an area that excites you. Talk to someone in HR, or recruiting about what may be opening and what you could be qualified for.
- Do your best to perform above the minimal level. Minimal gets noticed, but a middle of the road employee does not. No need to take on every extra project, but try one or two.
- Smile as much as you can and visit my website daily for a good time.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
Comments
09.03.09
Office Space is one of my all time favorite movies - lot's of wisdom in it!
09.03.09
I have been living this post for three years now. Management doesn't care about my satisfaction, they just don't want to have to fill out any more paperwork. If the company culture is complacent... Nothing works. Trust me.
1. Don’t be bashful. Have a conversation with your supervisor look into an immediate resolution, if there is one.
-Done it. I was labeled as a 'troublemaker.' No action was taken on my suggestions. I was criticized for 'making waves.'
2. Look for a position internally in an area that excites you. Talk to someone in HR, or recruiting about what may be opening and what you could be qualified for.
-'Troublemakers' don't get transfers. Three internal interviews for positions I was slightly overqualified for... and no cigar.
3. Do your best to perform above the minimal level. Minimal gets noticed, but a middle of the road employee does not. No need to take on every extra project, but try one or two.
-This might work if there was record-keeping of accomplished work tasks, but instead...it's just a community pile. The department standard is sub-par performance, so everyone looks middle-of-the-road.
I'm just biding my time until something better comes along.
09.03.09
Amanda - you are living in a common, unfortunate world. I can't imagine how tough it is to get up each morning and go to work feeling how you do. Do you mind me asking a few questions?
1. What exactly do you do? (job title)
2. Why didn't you start looking at other companies 2 or 3 years ago?
3. How many employees does your company have?
4. What's your short term goal, what's your long term goal?
If you don't want to answer here, send an email to cornonthejob@gmail.com
09.03.09
Eh, I don't mind.
1. What exactly do you do? In general terms, I work in the hospitality industry performing general guest relations and money-handling tasks. I am paid hourly plus communal tips. The tip pool is 75-100 workers strong any given day.
2. Why didn't you start looking at other companies 2 or 3 years ago?
The simple answer is that I did not have my degree yet. The longer answer, there is NO WHERE in Florida that I can make the kind of money I make now without a degree. Bills come in whether I'm happy at work or not.
3. How many employees does your company have? Over 3,000.
4. What's your short term goal, what's your long term goal?
Short Term- Successfully balance two jobs, one that pays the bills and one that gives me experience.
Long Term- Take that experience and turn it into a profitable consulting career.
09.03.09
Thank you for answering those questions. It certainly makes sense to me why you are still there. Ouch, that's quite a tip pool! Hopefully soon something will turn around, and your persistence will pay off.
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
|
 |
 |
|
