Top Six Workplace Myths

According to a recent survey from Sirota Survey Intelligence, specialists in attitude research, the most common misconception employers have about their employees is that:

• Praise (recognizing contributions) can serve as a substitute for money when seeking to motivate workers

The second-most common misconception employers have is that immediate managers are the cause of most employees’ problems.

Almost three-quarters of those surveyed mistakenly think those two myths are fact!! Even more disturbing: six out of 10 respondents think all the top six workplace myths compiled by Sirota Survey Intelligence are true.

The top six workplace myths Sirota surveyed, and the percent of respondents who think they are true, are:

• Praise can serve as a substitute for money in motivating employees:74 percent
• Employees’ immediate managers are the cause of most workers’ problems:73 percent
• Employees who complain about their pay are really unhappy about something else:67 percent
• There are major differences between generations in what people want from their jobs: 67 percent
• There are major differences between cultures and countries in what people want from their jobs: 63 percent
• Profit-sharing is a major motivator of employee performance: 60 percent

BOTTOMLINE: Neither praise nor money alone are sufficient to satisfy employees — there are three basic goals that the vast majority of employees seek from their jobs. These are: pride in one’s work, positive and productive relationships with one’s co-workers, and being treated fairly in pay, benefits and job security.