Spread the Worst Jobs Around

Spread the Worst Jobs Around

by Joel Robitaille

I think many of us have experienced, or at least witnessed, the passing of the torch to the new employee, where the worst jobs are passed from the previous occupier of the low position on the totem pole to the next.

Or perhaps many of us have seen managers pile the worst jobs on the problem employees as a way of sending a message, or in the hope they will resign.

There are also situations where managers allocate the worst jobs to the best employees, just because these jobs require the same competence and commitment to detail as the most skilled ones.

Regardless of the situation, employees will observe the way managers assign the worst jobs and personalize whatever conclusions they form.

Your new employees probably expect they have to pay their dues to a certain degree, but you’re not breeding any loyalty if they recognize themselves to be the doormats of the team. In fact, they’re probably looking for another job.

If you’re a manager piling the worst jobs on the employees who are a detriment to your team, think of the questions your other employees might ask themselves. “If I somehow lose favour with my manager, will I get run out of here as well?” “Is my manager more passive-aggressive than assertive?” “Can my manager be trusted?”

And if the worst jobs are being entrusted to the best employees because of their competence, how is this inspiring your workers to advance themselves?

With the emphasis on team these days, perhaps you should consider spreading the love around. While some of the simpler tasks can be handed to new recruits, make sure they have their chance to grow into their role with some dignity. And if you make sure the worst jobs are distributed in an equitable fashion, there will be less dissention in the ranks.

Some managers occasionally make a point of tackling the worst jobs, which is a great way of showing your employees that you wouldn’t require them to do anything you aren’t prepared to do yourself.