How would you like to be treated when something unexpected happens?

By Paul Fredericks, workforce support analyst

People come to work to be successful and to do a good job. Even with all of the resources and education provided by HCS, sometimes things do not go as planned, and it’s impossible to account for every contingency.  When things don’t go the way we intend, why do we immediately become fearful?  Often we ask ourselves, “Am I going to get in trouble?” and “Who is going to be disappointed or mad with me?”

These feelings come from an old view of safety. It seeks to identify the person who made the mistake, and have them pay a price that is comparable to the perceived offense. Heritage Christian Services is working towards becoming an organization that practices a contemporary view of safety. Instead of blaming staff, we want to understand their experience, understand what works, and what doesn’t.  The employee becomes a part of solving the problems the workforce faces. This allows the organization to focus on modifying expectations and systems, not on controlling staff.

In order to create an environment where staff are free to share their concerns, experiences, and suggestions without the fear of punishment, we need to remember, the staff have a better understanding of the challenges they face more than anyone else. By considering the daily challenges of our workers, we can create a better experience for the individuals who choose our services and our team that supports them.