It’s Work, Not a Friendship Circle

“I have an employee who complains a lot about the office environment and feeling stressed to complete her work each day. Mary also complains about not being treated with respect by her coworkers or manager. She says the office isn’t a “nice” place to work. I’ve reviewed the situation but can’t see anything that you wouldn’t find in most other workplaces. Am I looking at the wrong things?”

My HR Survival Tip

I’ve heard similar complaints before and find they usually come from employees who don’t have a lot of experience working in different companies or with different personalities.

Have you ever dreamed about a work environment where everyone feels valued and respected, where common courtesy is automatic, and employees only have to work at the level or speed that’s most comfortable for them? But then you probably woke up and realized you really need everyone working hard and producing as much as possible in as little time as possible. Unfortunately, this economic need to push people may result in employees feeling stressed, a lack of positive feedback, or a failure to be courteous throughout the day.

Yes, the work environment can always be improved. However, it’s not legally required unless you’ve allowed it turn nasty.

The following are statements from a couple of old lawsuits that are relevant here:

• Employment security statutes are designed to avoid the menace of economic insecurity, and not to make work pleasant.  Petty irritations are a part of everyday living, and no work is conducted in an atmosphere of complete sweetness and light.  If irritations are not material and substantial they must be borne, and do not constitute good cause for leaving work. (Department of Industrial Relations v. Mann (1950) 35 Ala .App. 505, 50 So.2d 780.)
• An employee may not be unreasonably sensitive to his/her working environment. Every job has its frustrations, challenges, and disappointments; these are inherent in the nature of work.  An employee is protected from unreasonably harsh conditions, in excess of those faced by his/her co­workers. S/he is not, however, guaranteed a working environment free of stress. ( Turner v. Anheuser-Busch,  Inc. (1994) 7 Cal.4th 1238; citing with approval Goldsmith v. Mayor and City of Baltimore (4th Cir. 1993) 987 F.2d 1064.)

Even if you aren’t required to have a “nicer” work environment, remember that employees want to give you more if they are getting the appreciation they want and enjoy the workplace. It’s not a bad trade-off.