In the world of work, the expression “wearing the company shirt” has long been a metaphor used to spur on employees to put in extra time and effort on their tasks without fair compensation in return. However, in today’s context, this concept has become disused.
It is clear that promising recognition and a prosperous future in exchange for unpaid overtime and additional roles that were not part of the original agreements is not a valid way to achieve greater employee commitment. Much less to increase the much sought-after and promoted workplace well-being and improved results.
In this context, Great Place To Work® (GPTW), a global authority on organizational culture, analyzed that there are alternative paths focused on worker well-being, which generate more and better results in the short and long term .
The importance of work commitment
To achieve committed workers who generate the best results, it is essential that in the organizational culture no one wears a shirt of something they do not want, do not feel proud or belong to .
A concrete example to make a similar analogy is that of fans of a sports team. In this type of community, no one is forced to wear a jersey in exchange for something. Everyone does it out of passion and because they feel committed to the values and objectives that the jersey represents and they give everything in their power to help their colours reach the top.
The same should be true in the corporate sector. When there is a deep, emotional connection between the company’s values and goals and those of its employees, commitment is total, regardless of the results achieved . Because what is clear is that when there is genuine commitment, everyone gives their best.
In turn, one of the great strengths of genuine commitment is that it fosters bonds that last over time . On the other hand, when relationships and efforts are the direct consequence of pressure and coercion, this weakens the bond rather than strengthening it. It is genuine authenticity and passion that drive commitment.
The emergence of a new mentality
A culture that does not care for its employees, that does not promote an environment of well-being and growth in which they feel proud to excel as professionals, is a business culture in which “wearing the shirt” becomes synonymous with empty promises and unnecessary sacrifices.
It is not surprising that many employees want to escape from this type of environment, which is characterized by very low levels of talent retention.
Fortunately, we are witnessing the end of this era of an outdated culture. With the arrival of the new generations and their demands on the workplace, values and priorities are changing significantly.
New talents value work-life balance, physical and mental health, as well as the opportunity to explore other personal projects .
The new approach: authenticity and equity in employment
This shift in perspective is challenging companies to adapt and evolve. Those seeking to attract and retain top talent must abandon the idea that everyone must “wear the shirt” and instead focus on creating work environments where employees feel valued, respected and empowered to reach their full potential.
Successful companies are those that recognize and respect the individual needs and aspirations of their employees , creating an environment where engagement is based on authenticity and genuine connection.
Read also: How to promote mental health at work
