How to get your staff to work harder: threaten them with a hunting rifle (Guru)

How to get your staff to work harder: threaten them with a hunting rifle

June 15, 2009

It seems UK bosses still haven't got the hang of effective staff motivation. Some fine examples include a charity boss who brought in his hunting rifle and pretended to fire it at staff to make them work harder; a boss who made staff clean toilets because she had sacked the cleaners to save money, and another who cut staff hours and pay while boasting about using his bonus to redecorate his house.

More than half the UK's bosses have got worse at motivating their staff since the recession began, according to a survey of over 1,600 workers by the campaign Keep Britain Working.

The examples thrown up by the survey show the nation's bosses exhibiting classic British behaviour: one in three have resorted to childish petulance, increasing their criticism and blaming of others; nearly a third have gone all ostrichy and hidden themselves away; more than one in four have given in to apathy and simply become indifferent; a quarter have applied the stiff upper lip so beloved of our nation and pretended that nothing's happening, while 17% have started shouting and raging like Guru's idol of snobbish, miserly, xenophobic misanthropy Basil Fawlty.

Makes you proud, eh?

Comments (3)

Steve Bell:

Thanks for that.
I find positive encouragement with clear boundaries works best. However, there are some days when the rifle idea could be tempting.

Posted by Steve Bell | June 16, 2009 11:57 AM

Posted on June 16, 2009 11:57

International Careers Blogger:

You've gotta be serious on the staff cleaning toilets part? I thought I've heard it all but this one seems to be really shocking.

Employers do have their ways of cutting through the crisis. I guess I'm so used to cutting off bonuses as a way.

Posted by International Careers Blogger | June 30, 2009 10:14 AM

Posted on June 30, 2009 10:14

Emily | London Jobs:

Recession is a big pain in the back for the organisation but still I think there are many ways to motivate employees rather than being harsh. Positive appreciation at work will do much of encouragement to the employees.

Posted by Emily | London Jobs | September 2, 2009 12:47 PM

Posted on September 2, 2009 12:47

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About

This page contains a single entry from Guru's blog posted on June 15, 2009 10:22 AM.

The previous offering of wisdom from Guru was Hazel Blears shows us how not to resign.

The next post in this blog is Facesquatting - a new way to make yourself unemployable.

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

About Guru

Guru is Personnel Today's notorious HR commentator. He's been working in HR for far too long and observes every passing management fad with a mixture of anger and amusement. His blog is the one thing saving his long-suffering wife, Mrs Guru, from having to endure too much of his ranting about the big HR stories of the day.

Guru

Guru, the notorious commentator from Personnel Today's back page, shares his wisdom on the world of work. Focusing on the latest news in human resources and people management, he takes an irreverent look at issues that affect us all.