With the current economic conditions in Michigan, many of our members have expressed concerns about potential reduction of hours and lay-offs. I came across this most recent article entitled "Employees Spending More Time Worrying About Job Security" by Theresa
Minton-
Eversole in the latest online
SHRM newsletter. Ms.
Minton-
Eversole points to research that shows that individuals are less productive when they are worried about their job security. In 2 nationwide surveys conducted in January 2009, employees reported that they spend up to 3 hours a day worrying about their job. The most common reason why employees worry about job security? A lack of communication by supervisors. Does this sound
familar?
Why the
suddent lack of communication from supervisors? The article states that many supervisors want to limit their contact with the individuals that may be laid off. In other words, it is an avoidance technique. The article continues on that supervisors avoid employees during this time because they feel bad about these lay-offs even though budget cuts are often out of their control. I am sure that in education, this guilt may be compounded by the fact that school boards are diverting federal stimulus money into their fund surplus rather than using them to prevent lay-offs.
What can you do to keep the lines of communication open? First, continue to talk to your principal/supervisor. Maintaining open lines of communication with administrators allows for information to be shared back and forth. It is one way in which both the Association member and principal can work together to make sure the stimulus money is used to protect jobs and maintain levels of education rather than continuing to fund a school board surplus.
Secondly, attend your school board meetings. Talk to your board members about how your district is going to use the stimulus money that they receive. Ask for documentation and proof when the superintendent or board member says that the money can't be used to preserve jobs, wages, and benefits. I am willing to bet they will not have evidence to justify their position. Contact your local leader and the
UniServ office for talking points to help you in these conversations.
Finally, talk to your fellow members. This is a time in which rumors grow and spread at a lightening pace. When you here a rumor about lay-offs or job cuts, ask for evidence that would make it true. These rumors have a way of creating tension between our fellow members. If there seems to be some truth to the rumor, contact your local president and leaders so that they can talk to the administration to see if it is true or not.
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