In recent Watson Wyatt reports on work related issues, stress pops up as the crux of a miscommunication conundrum.
In one survey, employees answered that stress and work/life balance are the top two reasons why they choose to leave their jobs. In a second report, employers stated that the top reason why employees leave is salary or pay while the stress factor hits just number five on their employee quit list.
Interesting. Here we have the view from both sides of the glass ceiling and the vision is different. It seems to me that what we have here, besides a stressful situation, is a failure to communicate.
Communication is a subject we often talk about. As a reminder, we feel that it is up to the employee to talk to the boss about stress and the desire for a satisfactory work/life balance. And it’s up to the boss to make sure the employee is not stressed. Well, at least not too stressed or stressed beyond what is unavoidable.
So why this lack of communication in the work place? Many reasons jump to mind but the primo seems to be a corporate culture where openness and honesty are not valued or at least not respected as much as they may be touted to be.
Let’s face it. In this competitive world there are still those who feel that succumbing to stress and, foolhardily admitting to it is a serious defect of character. It means that you cannot cope, that you are flawed, and somehow – dare I say it – weak. Egads, I wrote it. Weak.
Well, there you have it. Twenty-first century employees are looking for happiness at home and happiness at work and they are willing to take pay cuts to find the right balance. They aren’t willing to live the mega-stressful lives of their boomer predecessors.
And employers, at least the Canadian employers surveyed in this Watson Wyatt report, still think money is the number one reason for employee defection which means that they still believe that money is the top motivating factor for employee loyalty.
Come on companies, catch up with the rest of us. Engage your employees and listen to what they have to say. Be flexible and innovative in terms of balance. Communicate well and keep the employees you have. Work from the inside out.
Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful holiday! 
That's right, it is that time of year again. Christmas and holiday festivities. Fun? Not for everyone. In fact, office and Christmas parties, shopping, the consumption of rich food and alcohol all contribute to increased levels of stress. 
