It’s normal to complain about the workplace, grumble a little about the manager, the endless boring meetings, or some seemingly clueless directive from the mountain above.
Read time: about 2 min 35 sec.
It’s easy to lose sight of the positives around us and get swayed in the endless abyss of complaint and dissatisfaction.
I have worked in several places in a few countries, and I can say for sure, no place is perfect. Each has it’s good and not so good sides. I can make my workplace sound utterly miserable by focusing on the dry side of the pasture, or I can focus on the lush side. I prefer the latter. I am not defending or referring to the toxic work environment, where things really need to change and change very fast. And, I have also not buried my head in the cliched sand and missing the reality. This is a pure half glass full or empty view. Only a pessimist will see a glass as half empty because technically speaking, a half glass is actually half full.
Here are my 21 reasons why my workplace (and others for that matter) is a good place to work.
Work Schedule
1. Regular shift, no long hours and not physically demanding – outside the occasional extra hours, my work hours are pretty decent. Believe me; I have worked the graveyard shifts. And my work is not physically demanding.
2. Flexibility and work-life balance – I don’t work from home usually, but I can when I need to.
Management
3. No micro-management – not from my boss nor me.
4. Ideas are invited and explored – ideas are worked on and not sent to the landfill.
5. Easy access to leaders – I can walk to the corner office with no restriction. I prefer taking an appointment, though.
Environment
6. Respectful environment – everyone is respected. We don’t swear or yell at each other. Arguments are firm but within respectful boundaries.
7. Inclusive environment – everyone is welcome. Gender, colour, religion, nationality, etc., no bar.
8. Collaborative team – we work together well.
Pay & Benefits
9. Competitive pay and bonus – I can’t complain about my pay or bonus.
10. Vacation and sick days – I get a decent amount of days to unwind and don’t have to carry my work phone while away.
11. Work benefits and perks – Plenty of benefits and discounts to tweet about.
Growth
12. Challenges to stimulate growth – everyone needs challenges now and then, and my workplace offers them in plenty.
13. Opportunity to learn and grow – Nothing stops me or others from learning and growing.
14. No barriers for placing your best self forward – no ceiling for doing a remarkable job.
15. Recognition programs – great recognition programs for deserving employees.
Side Perks
16. Spacious workstations (Standing desk if prescribed) – It’s not chicken coop, very far from that, and I can get a standing desk if I need to.
17. Multiple monitors – I have multiple monitors to make my work easier. It may seem trivial, but I have worked in places where this is a luxury.
18. Phone with headsets – I know it’s not a big deal. I have a desk and a mobile phone and don’t have to squeeze the phone receiver in between my ear and shoulder.
19. High-end office and cafeteria – a large cafeteria. There is no gourmet meal, but I am not in Silicon Valley either.
20. Free coffee/tea – Although I don’t take coffee or tea at work, the selection is vast and high quality.
Most Important Reason
21. An excellent job in a constrained climate – I bet there are hundreds if not thousands, who would love to swap theirs with mine.
Improvements can be applied to almost everything, including ourselves. The questions to ask ourselves:
- How do we collectively make it better?
- How can we be part of the solution?
- Where should we focus now?
We should channel our focus on GROWTH and let it take center stage.
As I noted, no workplace is perfect, but when I count my blessings, I am humbled and feel grateful for what I have been blessed with.
Do you have any more reasons?
Thank you for sharing some of your precious time with me each week.
Until next week.
Razak
CommonInterest
C o m m o n. I n t e r e s t. 