Workplace Challenges
Winter may warm job relationsWinter storms are conspiring to keep the employees of North America from getting to work -- but could help them warm up to one another. |
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 [ 2008-03-05 ] |
A new survey reported that 61% of full-time employees said their commutes were longer due to the weather in the past three months.
Severe winter weather gives employers the opportunity to build trust with employees, according to workforce management firm Kronos Worldwide Inc. Miserable weather can also inspire camaraderie in the workplace, said Joyce Maroney, managing director of Kronos' Workforce Institute.
Some hourly workers may lose pay because they can't get to work. "Try to help people out by giving them opportunities to make up those hours," Maroney said. "That lost time might still accrue to their eligibility for overtime."
White-collar professionals whose jobs can be done remotely could be given a pre-emptive OK to work from home when roads are icy.
"People want their employers to put their safety first," said Maroney. Employees value that consideration, which can increase company loyalty.
The weather also lets co-workers bond.
"It's a shared experience. Everyone can relate to the relative difficulty of getting to work in a storm. People like to share their war stories."
CEO TURNOVER JUMPS
It's a tough time for chief executives.
Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. reported that CEO turnover in the U.S. in January was 58% higher than in December and 18% higher than in January 2007. There were 134 departing CEOs in January, an eight-month high.
And one former top man has what he thinks is the perfect job for an ex-chief.
Prominent former CEOs have gone into lecturing, teaching, philanthropy, new ventures or simply retirement. But Bob Davis, former CEO of search engine Lycos Inc. and now a general partner at venture capital firm Highland Capital Partners, boosted the field as one optimal choice for a past CEO.
"It's a wonderful career for an ex-operating officer. You guide, mentor, help new CEOs, have businesses become successful," said Davis. "I can watch not just one concept blossom, as I can as a CEO, but I can watch many young ideas turn into the next big thing."
How many hours a week do you work?