5 Things That Demonstrate You Aren’t Getting Paid Enough

Many REAL Best Places to Work never make a list

It costs an organization a ton of money to make a “Best Places” list – not in actually applying to make the list (oh yeah, they are chosen randomly  and you have to apply, because the Top 100 Greatest Places to Work isn’t really the Top 100 Greatest Places to Work – it was the Top of the companies that applied for the award Greatest Places to Work), but in doing all the silly crap they do so they sound like a great place to work.

Yes, many of the really best places to work will never be on a list because they are spending their time, money and effort – on their employees!

Here are some things that “Best Places to Work” companies and “You Are Not Getting Paid Enough” companies have in common:

1. If your company has unlimited gourmet free breakfast, lunch and dinner provided, you’re not getting paid enough. Cut that crap out and pay me $10K more per year; I’ll bring in my own Greek yogurt and granola.
2. If your company pays to have your laundry done and your house cleaned, you’re not getting paid enough.
3. If your company is taking you on luxury vacations and dinners that cost more than your monthly home mortgage,  you’re not getting paid enough.
4. If your company spends more on marketing themselves as a great place to work than on your employee development, you’re not getting paid enough.
5. If your CEO flies to work on a daily or weekly basis, you’re not getting paid enough.

When Great Places to Work go the wrong way

So, how do I show my employees that I care and that we have a great place to work? I don’t waste money on things that ultimately become a negative when I need to take them away because we aren’t making the money for our shareholders.

All great places to work, eventually become average or crappy places to work – because sustaining luxury programs that you put in place when you’re doing well become negatives to engagement when you have to tighten your boot straps.

Pay your people fairly. Meet their needs as adults. Treat them professionally and with respect. That’s a great place to work.

By Tim Sackett, MS, SPHR is Executive Vice President of HRU Technical Resources