Striking a balance between the values of employees and employers

 

The current generation of workers are more keen about the work values and expectations. Hence the balance between their values and the organizational values are important factor for employee behavior such as commitment, job satisfaction, retention, performance etc. (Yaniv and Farkas, 2005). Values were defined by Rokeach, (1973) cited in Yaniv and Farkas, (2005) as “enduring beliefs that a specific mode of conduct or end-state is preferable to its opposite, thereby guiding individuals' attitudes, judgments and behavior”.

Organization is having a strong culture, when more individuals have shared values with the organization and they are more likely to help broader mission of the organization (Yaniv and Farkas, 2005). Organizations can use different survey methodologies in order to determine whether the employee values are in-aligned with the organizational values. Some studies mention this as part of the person-organization fit which means the compatibility between persons and organizations. Person – organization fit includes three aspects, the fit between persons values, beliefs and personality traits with values, beliefs and norms of an organization. Many studies have proven that person -organization fit positively contribute to the attitudes, behaviors and performance of employees (Kooij and Boon, 2018). Person – organization fit facilitate effective communication, trust between members of the organization, sense of belonginess (Kooij and Boon, 2018).

Kooji and Boon (2018) conclude that high performance work practices such as selective recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, performance-based pay and participation in decision making have positive impact on perceived person–organizational fit there by increasing the commitment over time.

When employee first enter into an organization, they may not aware whether the organizational values will be fit with theirs. The best way to give this impression and knowledge is the new joiner orientation programmes which will explain about the company culture and values. Mentorship and extensive orientations conducted at the beginning of the job will lead to reduce the difference between perceived organizational values and the actual. Further this can be addressed via communication, group functioning work co-ordination, re-orientation, question and answer sessions and value-based reward systems.

However, there is also a possibility of people leaving the company of those who do not fit well with the organization due to maintenance of strong and consistent culture by HR and leadership. Further people who fit well with the organization can create problems such as strategic myopia and inability to change. Since there are two sides for the balance between person and organizational values, organization may use strategies depending on the balance they want. For an instance if the organizational goal is to reduce turnover, then high fit between organization and employee values may require and can use strategies accordingly. If the organization motive is to adapt for environmental changes then lower level of fit will be required. (Kristof, 1996)

References

Kooij, D.T. and Boon, C., 2018. Perceptions of HR practices, person–organisation fit, and affective commitment: The moderating role of career stage. Human Resource management journal, 28(1), pp.61-75. Available from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1748-8583.12164[Accessed on 02nd May 2022].

Kristof, A.L., 1996. Person‐organization fit: An integrative review of its conceptualizations, measurement, and implications. Personnel psychology, 49(1), pp.1-49. Available from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1996.tb01790.x[Accessed on 02nd May 2022]

Yaniv, E. and Farkas, F., 2005. The impact of person-organization fit on the corporate brand perception of employees and of customers. Journal of Change Management, 5(4), pp.447-461. Available from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14697010500372600 [Accessed on 02nd May 2022].