Attitudes guide the behavior of an individual in a particular way to a situation, people or objects. One of the Human Resource Practices is ‘procurement’ which involves the
selection of the right man for the right job. The selection process, inter alia, takes into account both the attitude and aptitude of those ‘waiting on their wings’. Individual’s approach to work and non-work situations is guided by their ‘prior orientation’ Values, wants and preferences are an outcome of ’prior orientation’. in their work ‘The affluent worker; industrial
Attitudes and behavior’ Goldthrope et al have offered a typology of work orientations which in effect are motivational. Though
training of
employees is perceived as a means toward an end, it also needs to focus on developing new attitudes. This will make them understand that their attitudes concerning diseases and illnesses are misplaced. A ‘
safety or
health vocabulary’ providing company wide definitions of safety and health with likely consequences in case of default
need to be prepared and communicated in order to improve employees’ abilities to learn, unlearn and relearn. Besides ‘stock-taking’ by engaging in face-to-face interaction, even written tests on matters concerning health and safety at regular intervals may be conducted. It is said that ’action without knowledge is rootless’. Such of those employees showing evidences of achievement of exclusive standards of excellence incorporated in the ’safety or health vocabulary’ need to be rewarded. The ‘reward scheme’ will become contagious and help minimize if not totally eliminate the risks to which employees are exposed in a constantly changing business environment. The solutions are not the last words in fighting the germs in the work place. However, the solutions will help accomplish the “Three E’s”, namely economy, efficiency and effectiveness, which are the hall marks of an organization. A significant training instilling new attitudes will show signs of decreasing absenteeism, which will result in a measurable increase or improvement in an employee’s contribution to the organizational goals. When absenteeism becomes a thing of the past, there will be a major cut in employing employees on overtime work. With an appreciable decrease in labor turn over, the need for procurement or selection of new employees to replace those who left services will not arise and thus the cost on training can be cut. Since time is the essence of a contract besides quality, uninterrupted supply will generate customer satisfaction and bring in more profits. Customers’ loyalty thus ensured is critical in the sense that attracting new customers is costlier than retaining the existing clientile. A just and favorable conditions of work will help turn sand into gold.
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