ID-100211536 - Newspaper Shows Media Journalism Newspapers And Headlines - Freedigitalphotos dot net Employee EngagementEmployee Engagement made the headlines this week. In fact, there were three stories. It’s not often that these types of stories garner national attention. Let’s take a look at The Good, The Bad, The Shift.

 

 

Employee Engagement in the News

The Good

How would you like to walk into work and find out that you now have a financial stake in your company? That’s what happened at Chobani. CEO Hamdi Ulukaya recognized the contributions of the company’s 2000 full-time employees by gifting them what amounts to a 10% stake in the company. That stake is estimated to be worth approximately $150,000 per person once the company is sold or goes public. The actual stock amounts are based on tenure with the company.1

“I’ve built something I never thought would be such a success, but I cannot think of Chobani being built without all these people,” Mr. Ulukaya said in an interview in his Manhattan office that was granted on the condition that no details of the program would be disclosed before the announcement.

“Now they’ll be working to build the company even more and building their future at the same time,” he said.”2

 

“Recognition is a critical component of employee engagement and the underlying value throughout the entity of the manager-employee relationship. A “thank you” is much more powerful than a bonus – employees want to know that their work is contributing to a greater good and helping to shape their career progression trajectory. Today’s employees want to be acknowledged for successes affecting the company and are more inclined to drive results when their work is celebrated.“3

 

 

The Bad

This news story “started a much greater conversation about communication, and consideration, and more importantly, respect in the workplace.” Kelly Ripa was blindsided by ABC’s announcement that her Live with Kelly and Michael co-host, Michael Strahan, would be leaving the show to join Good Morning America. After 26 years with the company, she was told of the news just before it went public. Ms. Ripa left the show for a few days to reflect on what had happened.4 While she has returned to the show, this incident has damaged what was once a strong relationship and caused unneeded negative publicity.

 

“Transparent leadership is the key to fostering a culture of trust between leaders and their employees. Employees who are kept in the loop and understand their role in the overarching purpose and goals of the company are, understandably, more likely to put their trust in their employer.”5

 

 

The Shift

The Pew Research Center announced that there has been a shift in generational demographics. According to the most recent population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, Millennials have overtaken Baby Boomers as the largest living generation. There are now 75.4 million Millennials (1981-1997) compared to 74.9 million Baby Boomers (1946 -1964).6

 

With the youngest Millennial being 18 years old, it won’t be long before Millennials will comprise a majority of the workplace as well. “Millennials tend to be uncomfortable with rigid corporate structures and turned off by information silos. They expect rapid progression, a varied and interesting career and constant feedback.”7 “They may also represent one of the biggest challenges that many organisations will face.”8

 

 

 

What are your thoughts on these articles? What other employee engagement articles have you seen in the headlines?

 

 

1 Strom, Stephanie. “A Windfall for Chobani Employees: Stakes in the Company.”The New York Times. The New York Times, 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/27/business/a-windfall-for-chobani-employees-stakes-in-the-company.html?login=email>.
2 Ibid.
3 Bricel, Sasha. “Top 3 Reasons Why Employee Recognition Is So Important.” – The Human Resources Social Network. HR.COM, 12 Mar. 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <http://www.hr.com/en/app/blog/2012/03/top-3-reasons-why-employee-recognition-is-so-impor_gzqy1ds1.html>.
4 Yahr, Emily. “Kelly Ripa Returns to ‘Live!’ and Explains Absence: ‘I Needed a Couple of Days to Gather My Thoughts’.” Washington Post. The Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/04/26/kelly-ripa-returns-to-live-and-explains-absence-i-needed-a-couple-days-to-gather-my-thoughts/>.
5 Lavoie, Andre. “4 Reasons You Need to Embrace Transparency in the Workplace.” Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur Media, Inc., 28 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/245461>.
6 Fry, Richard. “Millennials Overtake Baby Boomers as America’s Largest Generation.” Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center, 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 26 Apr. 2016. <http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/25/millennials-overtake-baby-boomers/>.
7 “Millennials at Work: Reshaping the Workplace.” PwC. PwC, 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2016. <https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/managing-tomorrows-people/future-of-work/assets/reshaping-the-workplace.pdf>.
8 Ibid.

 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

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