‘Pay not main reason workers quit’

SALARIES are not the main reason employees leave their jobs, officials said in a workshop last week.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) vice president for external affairs Ted Locson said most employees quit because of working conditions and relationship.

“Salary is not always the issue, in fact, it does not fall in the top three list of employees’ reasons for quitting jobs,” Locson told Sun.Star Cebu. “It is the working relationship and environment that matter to them.”

He said employees prefer to work in a working environment where employer and employees work together towards achieving a common goal.

He said employees these days want to be part of every decision of the company.

“They just don’t want to merely meet the deadlines. They want to get involved, because somehow small or big company decisions affect them,” said Locson.

CCCI, in partnership with the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) recently conducted a workshop for business owners and companies entitled “Entering into Good Faith Bargaining and Meaningful Social
Dialogue” at Hotel Elizabeth Cebu.

University of the Philippines industrial relations and law professor Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. said “social dialogue” includes all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information among representatives of governments, employers and workers on issues related to economic and social policy as well as to productivity, terms and conditions of employment and the welfare and well-being of workers.

He said social dialogue bridges the gap between employers and employees.

Bitonio said tension exists because the objective of the companies is to maximize profits and in doing so, they tend to minimize the share of workers. Workers, on the other hand, want to maximize rewards for their labor and for this purpose, they may minimize efforts.

But Bitonio said it is possible for parties to talk about how both can have more.

“With social dialogue, both parties begin to explore the common good and later on arrive with a win-win situation,” he said. “Both situations can get better results, because social dialogue eventually develops trust.”

Bitonio said it is to the mutual advantages of employers and employees that they communicate using principles of social dialogue.

This holds true especially when companies face challenging times.

He said companies should be open with their employees on the company’s performance so they would know the action plans that should be taken.

“Workers work effectively when they get to understand management policies and situations,” said Locson.

Bitonio also said communication helps not only in retention of employees but also in productivity. Giving employees idea where the company is heading and creating a harmonious workplace inspires workers to excel in their jobs.

Social dialogue also helps address issues on wage matters, which remains to be the core bargaining issue. Bitonio reminds the chamber to always conduct consultations with members so they can present a one unified decision during hearings.