What MalesA Good Employee
First let’s consider what a good employee looks like. While one can get into a lengthy and varied set of attributes, I would like to suggest that all those traits of a good employee can be summed up with the impression that the employer or the business would be worse off if the employee left, whether for health considerations or an exciting offer to work somewhere else.
The person to be hired needs to have a clear knowledge of what they are expected to do. Simple. Yes, but it also means that new requirements are not added later. If circumstances change and responsibilities need to be added, then the worker needs to benefit in some way––more flexible hours, improved medical or pension benefits, a promotion. If you want to be a vehicle that has features beyond the basics, you must pay extra for those features. The same is true for an employee. If you want more than what was bargained for in the beginning, then something needs to be offered. At this point I may sound like a union negotiator. You may have already guessed an important factor in having a good employee is having a good employer. What trait(s) must the employee have?
First, the person to be hired must want, not just need, the job. Needs like money for food, shelter and clothes are the first thing that most employer’s salaries meet. A good employee needs to be able to find joy at work. Without that passion the worker will be inclined to do only what is required. To a person without a passion, work is a means to pleasure. There’s little desire to do a little extra for a customer or the employer.
The duties of a job may not always energize a person. Who could love serving customers in a café? Jill, the protagonist, in my novel, Baggage burdens. shows how that it is possible. Jill is not the kind of person who loves to create an eye-pleasing, pallet-tantalizing servings for customers. However, her employer leaves her the freedom to change or add new items to the menu to please customers. The customers’ thanks or word-of-mouth-praise makes Jill’s work at the Prezchuck’s Bakery Plus a joy. What is of greater significance to Jill is that Mary, her employer, treats Jill as a good friend, and at times like a member of her family. That unconditional acceptance makes the prospect of Jill quitting almost impossible.
While Ed, Mary’s husband and co-owner of Prezchuck’s Bakery Plus, was at first skeptical of Jill, his early employee performance review of her work shows the results of a good employer and a worker who finds joy in serving.
One afternoon at the end of the day, Mary locks the door as Jill cleans up. Ed calls out to Jill, “When you’re finished, I’d like you to join Mary and me at the table.” While Ed often helps at the busy noon hour, he rarely remains to the end of the day. His unusual presence at closing time worries Jill.
“Shall I bring some cups?” asks Jill, thinking that Ed is joining Mary and her for their usual cup of tea and review of the day.
“Not today,” responds Mary. Jill sits down at the table, concerned that someone has complained about her service. Ed sits directly across from her, and Mary is to his right.
“I’d like to talk to you about your performance review,” begins Ed.
“Performance review?” Jill hides her hands under the table, squeezing them tightly. This isn’t fair. I haven’t had time to prepare myself. You’ve likely been considering this for some time. She looks at Ed’s shirt pocket to avoid his eyes.
“After three months, many businesses do a performance review. It’s a little early for yours, but I don’t expect much to change in the next couple of weeks.”
Detecting Jill’s concern, Mary interrupts, “Relax, Jill. I think you’ll be very happy with what Ed has to say. Relax.” Jill looks at Mary’s always smiling face, then at Ed’s.
“I’d like to start by saying we can’t be happier with your work at the bakery. You’ve exceeded my expectations.”
Jill smiles. Her hands, still under the table, relax. “You know customers not only by their names but as individuals. They like that. It brings them back again and again. They kind of feel like they’re coming home.”
“Mary’s a good teacher.”
“And you’re a good student,” adds Mary.
“Your personality even attracts new younger customers. It’s responsible for this fall’s income surpassing last year’s. Also, you’ve been helping a little on the baking end and the preparing of soups even though it isn’t in your job description. I’ve had many compliments about new sandwiches that you’ve added to the menu. Customers mistakenly think it’s my idea.”
Jill recalls Olsen’s five-year-old Tommy. He refused to accept the soup of the day, homemade potato-parsley soup. Bertha Olsen, his mother, was becoming frustrated and embarrassed with her son’s uncooperative behavior. Shushing was in vain.
“You probably prefer a sandwich, hey?” Jill had interrupted.
Tommy’s face lit up. Without waiting to be asked what kind, he blurted out, “Peanut butter and jam.” Table laughter erased the tension.
“I can do that,” responded Jill happily. And so the grapevine started. One could request a sandwich from Jill that wasn’t on the menu.
“Finally, you agreed to serve and help clean up at some evening special event parties.”
The first special event was the Peterson fiftieth anniversary, a family gathering. Since she’d finished reading her book, she expected her evening would be boring. There was nothing on the television that night, so she volunteered to be the server. She was surprised to learn that Ed paid for her work. That was bonus!she thought.
“Until you came, that full load always fell on Mary’s shoulders. Sometimes we pressured Ben to help. We felt guilty about cutting into his social life, so we tried to avoid it as much as possible. Thankfully, you’ve changed that!”
Surprise shows on Jill’s face.
Mary cuts in. “You remember the Fosson’s thirtieth wedding anniversary?”
Jill nods.
“Ben came to me to ask if I’d need any help serving. He never did that before!”
Jill recalls Ben and her serving and cleaning up together. The event was the second time Mary wasn’t able to serve. Ben and Jill received such a large tip that they used it to go out to the Norseman Restaurant the following weekend to celebrate their good fortune. It was a wonderful time.
“Hiring you is like getting a double bonus, you know. We are not only getting extra help but willing help,” continues Mary. “I really appreciate it. I really do.”
“And I understand you and Ben are handling the Tollisand party this weekend,” adds Ed. “Apparently, Ben arranged the whole thing. He also arranged the two previous parties. It’s like he’s becoming our booking agent.”
“Yes,” says Jill. “Ben checks with me first to confirm this place is available before he speaks with someone.” Jill’s pleased she is contributing to the extra business for the bakery. The tips she receives builds a sizeable savings account, something Jill never had before.
haiku capsule:
finding joy at work
friend-like boss, customers’ praises
a happy worker
Next blog: BOOK LAUNCH
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A good worker is a happy worker.
What factors do you need to be a happy worker?
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