tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566418.post3212391493395420413..comments2009-11-21T07:45:03.930-08:00John Rodkinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11654577266816023164noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7566418.post-27696926823081787252008-02-11T09:52:00.000-08:002008-02-11T09:52:00.000-08:00I concur! Your ideas touch on something important. Employees generally feel the need to be secretive about seeking alternative employment for fear of retribution or discrimination at the current employer. This is ridiculous.<BR/><BR/>The first thing I tell my employees is that "you don't have to be happy here, but you should be happy at work - or you're wasting a good part of your life". <BR/><BR/>I advise them that if they want to look for another job for any reason, the color of their chair is wrong, the culture isn't right, or they just plain don't like working for me - they can tell me and I will assist them in their job search.<BR/><BR/>This establishes a trust between me and my team as I really do care about their well being. If I cannot improve their working situation, they know that they can look for something else. No need to have fake "doctor appts" for interviews. I can be a reference for them (how often do folks list their current manager as a reference?) which makes their search even easier.<BR/><BR/>Even if they are just dabbling in the "new job" market, it's perfectly acceptable. If my employees find something, I can help them move on. If they don't, no worries - they can stay right here. I don't believe there is an "us" and "them" in the work place.<BR/><BR/>The point is that folks should treat their coworkers like trusted friends, not potential enemies.<BR/><BR/>Another good post John.<BR/><BR/>(wish I had found your blog sooner and wish even more that I had known you when I was at WT!)Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14079943880650332124noreply@blogger.com