I recently heard about a company that has always put workplace culture first, working hard to make employees feel valued and appreciated. Part of this came through in the food they served at celebrations, which was always top-tier, delicious, and plentiful.
As with so many other companies, the discretionary funds have recently dried up a bit for this company, leaving less cash on hand for these celebrations. The company still makes the celebrations themselves a high priority, but they reduced the lavish spreads of hors d’oeuvre to finger sandwiches and fresh fruit. And guess what? Many of the workers went ballistic.
Really, folks?
Unfortunately it’s a common story. Companies that have been especially generous with their employees in the past are running into the sad irony that cutting back to more normal levels in challenging times can draw a backlash from employees who’ve come to expect the high life. Once you’re used to the Rolls Royce, even a nice Corvette can feel like slumming.
I once heard a comedian tell the story of sitting on an airplane when high speed Internet on planes was just being introduced. The flight attendant announced this incredible new feature and invited all those aboard to log on. Many people did so, including the comedian and his seatmate.
Ten minutes later, the flight attendant announced apologetically that the Wi-Fi had stopped working—and his seatmate cursed angrily. “How quickly the world owed him something,” observed the comedian, “that he didn’t even know existed a few minutes earlier!”
The same thing can happen in a workplace where management goes overboard for employees, then has to cut back a bit in tight times. It’s not just disappointing and galling to hear these complaints—it can put a real and lasting dent in workplace engagement.
This is where the employees who recognize and appreciate the generosity of the employer MUST speak up. If you hear this kind of grumbling in your own workplace, gently point out that many companies offer nothing for such events, and that a small reduction can save funds for the very promotions they are celebrating!
A memo from management often produces more grumbling. But a gentle nudge from a colleague can restore perspective and help others recognize generosity when they see it.