Complacency at work can be a
good thing at almost any time, but in troubled economic times, many employer
and their employees are anything but complacent. There may be escalating
discontent with resulting disruptions that interfere with work in progress. The
entire work environment can change from a bright and happy one to a dark,
discouraging place when there is a lack of complacency.
What is complacency?
The freedictionary.com defines complacency as “a feeling of contentment or
self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger,
trouble or controversy”. Complacency can also depict “an instance of contented
self-satisfaction”.
Appropriate interpersonal
relationships and interaction between employers and employees play a major role with respect to the success of any organization or company.
Complacent employers and employees are more likely to be able to function together
in an appropriate manner, while one non-complacent employer can disrupt an
entire work environment. It can be difficult for employees to work under a
non-complacent employer or with non-complacent fellow employees.
When a company or organization
is functioning well, an employer usually experiences some degree of
self-satisfaction, reflected by his or her employees in their work.
Even when there may be danger,
trouble or controversy, by minimizing it, employers and employees are able to
continue to function on a platform of relative complacency. It is usually more
appropriate to keep employees informed, as there may be concern re lack of
disclosure. Pending danger, trouble and controversy can create potential havoc
that requires wisdom on the part of employers, management and employees.
Timing
is always important in dealing with issues of concern.
Employee complacency and
contentment are vital with respect to any work environment. Problems leading to
non-complacency can arise immediately with the awareness of pending transitions
in a company or organization. An example of this might be economic cutbacks or
lay offs, where there can be unrest rooted in fear.
Most employees experience
self-satisfaction and take pride in their work, as well as in individual and
collective achievements in the work place. Appropriate rewards, bonuses and
promotions help to encourage and enhance the complacency of employees, while
unjustified criticism does just the opposite.
A complacent employer or
employee often radiates a gentleness, quietness and inner peace that others
recognize. One complacent person can set the atmosphere of peace for everyone
in a work environment. In these kinds of scenarios, complacency at work is
a good thing, even though some may perceive it differently. For example, a
non-complacent employee may see it as a way of choosing to ignore something
that is about to happen or is actually happening.
Encouraging complacency at work
is the role of employers, managers or others in authority. No one can force
complacency on employers or employees. It is not be instigated, but rather
comes naturally to those who are inwardly happy and content.
Complacency has a
degree of contagion as it spreads among workers. Note that complacency and
compliance can be mitigating factors that work together or in opposition to
each other.
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