And The Winner Is... ~ Ernie Lambert

AND THE WINNER IS...

by Ernie Lambert

WWe have the “Tony” awards, the “Grammy” awards and of course the “Oscar”. Each award is given for a great performance of one type or another. In most instances, depending on your taste, the incumbent has done something worth noting. Some of the greatest performances I have seen that have never been recognized in an appropriate manner is the calling in sick or otherwise unable to work award. Often times this performance can be impressive. This presentation can be done in person, via the telephone or even delegated to a family member. The gut wrenching tale of illness or pain brings tears to your eyes and tugs at your heartstrings. Frequently these productions are conducted on Mondays or Fridays and on occasion occur adjacent to a long weekend or even possibly birthdays. On occasion if these performances are not properly recognized and acknowledged by their intended audience they may receive ongoing repeat performances. They can even progress into a long running series. Like most series there can be a significant number of supporting cast members. These supporting roles can be performed by any number of individuals or agencies including (but not necessarily restricted to) WorkSafe BC, Long Term or Short Term Disability, Early Intervention Groups, your Human Resources Department, the Union and most likely you. Why does the cast seem to continue to grow until an award is given? What is the usual award? Who gives the award? Who should give the award? What is the appropriate award? Sometimes the award isn’t much. It can be a simple piece of paper from a physician stating, “This person is too ill to come to work today.” This piece of paper may provide recognition to the person that the physician acknowledges their performance and has provided written recognition and perhaps even some time off with pay.

Some performers will want even more recognition and will further embellish their

presentation. This can result in even greater reward. These can include life long pensions, retraining programs, rehabilitation centers to name a few.

Sometimes in the performing arts there is a dark side, and this is no exception. My experience has been that almost every individual wants to feel good physically, mentally and socially. Agood work place can facilitate all of those, and should. If we don’t, the costs go way beyond lost wages.

People do become ill and their family members become ill; there are many other instances where they need the support of us, the employer. Gone are the days when ten people were lining up from the outside to fill the next vacancy. Gone are the days when supervisors berated their staff to improve performance. This is a good thing.

Years ago you would read about the “Fortune 500” companies and others that were very successful. They would say things like “our people are our greatest asset. They allow us to succeed.” These companies were the enlightened few. As the “Baby Boomers” are looking to retire, the need for skilled employees rises exponentially. This philosophy is truer now than ever. We need to make our places of work and education a desirable place to be. Restrictions in how we are governed can minimize our ability to be able to provide money or extended benefits as rewards to our staff. We need to be an employer of choice.

How do we do that? What can we do...

Respect, caring, understanding may be cliché but accurate. Equally important is that each of these factors is applied fairly and consistently. We also have the opportunity to provide training, guidance and opportunity for growth. We can be creative in finding ways to facilitate our needs as an employer while helping to meet the needs of our staff. Even though it is perceived that we are bound by regulation, collective agreements and other authorities our biggest roadblock is ourselves.

Everyone wants to receive recognition. Recognition should be a positive, natural occurrence, not strained or awkward. It needs to be sincere and not handed out frivolously. In our district, I believe that we are being successful. We have excellent labour relations and we are attracting skilled employees as vacancies occur. It is not a simple short solution, nor will it ever be finished. Is it perfect? No, but it sure beats the alternative.

And the Winner is... Everyone! (Especially the students)