| A Great Place to Work? |
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Crystal Reeves CPC
Once again, it is time for our local library’s book sale. Usually, I am able to donate a few “once-read-and-once-is-enough” selections for the Library’s annual fundraiser, so I started thumbing through the books I have in my home office. After selecting two or three to contribute to charity, I ran across a title that caught my eye—A Great Place to Work written by Robert Levering and published by Random House in 1988. I remember buying the hardback at a yard sale. The original retail price of $7.98 is still inside the front cover. I bought it because I wanted books with business management titles to sit on my office shelves. The question now was, “Do I keep it or donate it?” As I thumbed through the pages, which recognizes common qualities of successful corporations, I noted that many corporations that were mentioned have either merged, been acquired, or no longer exist. Some of the organizations presented as standards, such as Publix Supermarkets, Hallmark Cards, and Delta Airlines, are still in existence.
As I read selected excerpts from the book’s pages, trying to decide if this was the year when it would be passed on, something caught my attention--a checklist identifying the qualities found in most successful corporations. I read through the list and believe that in spite of the juggernaut of government regulations, e-technology, and ever-changing corporate cultures, these identified qualities are as applicable in today’s workplace as they were in 1988. So, here’s the list. How does your organization measure up?
Checklist for a Great Place to Work
Basic terms of employment
1. Fair pay and benefits
a. Compare with similar employers
2. Commitment to job security
3. Commitment to safe and attractive working environment
The job
1. Maximizes individual responsibility
2. Flexibility about work hours
3. Opportunities for growth
a. Promotes from within
b. Provides training
c. Recognizes mistakes as a part of learning
Workplace rules
1. Reduces social and economic distinctions between managers and other employees
2. Right to due process
3. Right to information
4. Right to free speech
5. Right to confront those in authority
6. Right not to be part of the family/team
Stake in success
1. Shares rewards from productivity
2. Shares profits
3. Shares ownership
4. Shares recognition
Medical practices are complex and intriguing organizations and cannot be totally measured by the presence or absence of a particular set of policies or practices. However, I believe this list does give us solid suggestions for making our work places better. And, I think I’ll keep the book for another year.
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