Jerks Not Welcome Here
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It almost sounds too good to be true - businesses with a No Jerks policy. But as evidenced in this article on lawjobs.com, the policy works, and from this, any smart business can benefit.
The article, written by two attorneys from Miami firm Duane Morris, cites one firm's estimate that their jerk had cost them $160K. Not hard to imagine when you consider the time spent dealing with that employee, his victims, and their replacements.
Recent studies support how widespread the issue is:
According to the article, too much for firms upholding the policy to be concerned with the number of hours the jerk is billing or how much business they bring in.
For many of them, the benefits are quick to be seen: 'less absenteeism, less employee complaints, higher morale and higher productivity. The bottom line can also see benefits, in the form of decreased labor-related litigation costs, less overtime hours logged and, of course, higher profits'.
One of the trailblazers in this area was Seattle firm Perkins Coie, who issued a 'widely accepted but unofficial internal policy that called for addressing negative incidents head-on...and associates who frequently yell at or mistreat secretaries damage their prospects of becoming partners'.
Several years on, the firm has been included in Fortune's Top 100 Best Places to Work list for five years running.
We always knew there was no room for jerks. Now there's proof.
Recent studies support how widespread the issue is:
- The Workplace Bullying Institute reported that 37% of Americans considered themselves to be victims of bullying and almost 50% had witnessed bullying
- The Employment Law Alliance reported that about 44% of US employees say they've had an abusive boss
According to the article, too much for firms upholding the policy to be concerned with the number of hours the jerk is billing or how much business they bring in.
For many of them, the benefits are quick to be seen: 'less absenteeism, less employee complaints, higher morale and higher productivity. The bottom line can also see benefits, in the form of decreased labor-related litigation costs, less overtime hours logged and, of course, higher profits'.
One of the trailblazers in this area was Seattle firm Perkins Coie, who issued a 'widely accepted but unofficial internal policy that called for addressing negative incidents head-on...and associates who frequently yell at or mistreat secretaries damage their prospects of becoming partners'.
Several years on, the firm has been included in Fortune's Top 100 Best Places to Work list for five years running.
We always knew there was no room for jerks. Now there's proof.
