The International Labour Day is a day when we reflect on the efforts and great contributions by all workers to national development as well as the International Labour Organization (ILO) for having maintained and developed a system of international labour standards that promote opportunities for all people to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity.

As we celebrate the hard work and dedication of workers in every field for their positive impact in the world of work, we need to remind ourselves that employees are the greatest assets for any organization and therefore they deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and fairness. When such an environment where workers can feel safe, engaged, inspired, and empowered is nurtured, it provides an incentive for hard work and innovation which increases productivity and business competitiveness.

According to Marissa Mayer, the co-founder of Lumi Labs and former CEO of Yahoo, employees’ engagement is about getting the best people, retaining them, nurturing a creative environment and helping them to find a way to innovate. A recent poll conducted by partners in leadership confirms that when employees are happier at work, 85 percent of them would take more initiatives, 73 percent would be better collaborators, and 48 percent would care more about their work. So, effective leaders who understand the correlation between higher levels of engagement, happiness and productivity facilitates movement in the right direction through innovation.

In this regard, I wish to congratulate and celebrate our great employers who have been deemed eligible for national recognition through being awarded prestigious medals during this year’s National Labour Day Celebrations. Their consideration for national recognition has neither been informed by the job titles or responsibilities one has held over the years nor the academic qualifications they possess, but for the unique accomplishments in transforming their respective workplaces to enhance decent work and /or having made a positive impact on society (Corporate Social Responsibility) through engaging in supporting social causes or philanthropic activities, and giving back to the community through outreach programs and charitable donations. May their great achievements provide inspiration to other employers and be the cornerstone for a chain of successes.

Indeed, it takes some effort to be a great employer. According to Indeed Editorial Team, a group of writers and researchers who cover insights and trends in the modern worlds of work, recruitment and Human Resource Management, a great employer/ management provides healthy and safe work environment for their employees, respects them and values their work. The same source asserts that great employers are characterized by being visionary with innovative ideas to move the organization forward; possession of great communication skills; being able to offer flexible work schedules; ability to provide financial benefits to employees in form of salary increases or bonuses; employees’ empowerment; being active listeners by respecting others’ thoughts and opinions; being supportive through encouraging dialogue and teamwork among employees; provision of opportunities for employees to develop their skills; respect for employees regardless of the circumstances; they show and encourage integrity; they always practice fairness; and provision of safe work environments that enhance their employees productivity.

Therefore, understanding your employees’ perspective can go a long way towards increasing productivity and business success. Doug Conant, the founder and CEO of Conant Leadership counsels: “To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace”, while Stephen Richards Covey, an American educator, author, businessman, and motivational speaker advises that employers /management should always treat their employees exactly as they would want them to treat their best customers. Indeed, a strong workplace culture is the engine that drives productivity and competitiveness of organizations and the economy, which attracts more investment and job creation.

By Patrick Ajuna, Policy and Research Officer