Jobs

Toxic Workplaces Are Not Rites of Passage

Published

2 years ago

March 22, 2022

By Kelechi Eke, Head of Operations, DLM Capital Group

Nigeria’s Twitter space was agog with an investigative report from TechCabal this week – it was an expose into the startup culture of Bento Africa. This story stirred up an explosive conversation on Twitter about toxic workplaces in Nigeria with the hashtag #horriblebosses in which there were mentions of numerous companies.

Working retail has now become a horrible introduction to the workplace – a taxing feat with numerous responsibilities, low pay, and insensitive bosses – that everyone must endure at one point or the other in their career journeys. Employer’s priorities must shift from focusing solely on the profits at the expense of workers to treating employees with decency and respect. Things like how an employer reacts to time-off requests, especially when concerning health and family emergencies, matter.

According to 1.3 million Glassdoor reviews from U.S employees of Culture 500 companies collated by MIT researchers this year; these attributes – disrespect, non-inclusive environment, unethical behavior, cutthroat competition and abuse topped the list of 5 biggest signs of toxicity discovered in most workplaces. Other flaws mentioned by employees included excess bureaucracy, insularity, risk aversion, and an impersonal feel, just to mention a few. The organizational cost of toxic culture is not flowery – asides from an obvious increase in employee attrition, a poor employer brand makes it harder to attract talent. From the research, employees however prized the following attributes – putting people first, helping workers find and pursue their passions, bringing people together on a personal level, creating a space where people can be themselves, and empowering people to own their work.

Every leader needs to worry about toxic culture – and begin to look at ways to improve. Build atmospheres where your employees feel respected. Ensure your C-suite is comprised of supportive leaders and weed out unethical behavior(s) immediately you learn of them. Share challenges and successes with your staff, hold open forums, have open door policies, and embrace honesty (even when it is hard). It is never enough for your company to be awarded a ‘Best Place to Work’ for PR purposes. Put in the work and earn that award on merit. No doubt, the Best Places to Work awards are a thing of pride, celebrated by the press, respected by investors, and pushed on social media, but what story do these rankings tell you? Is it the whole story? Just because a workplace has good PR or is deemed a ‘Best Place to Work’, should recruits all jump on the celebration wagon? The patterns with these workplaces (most of them big brand names) whose awards come on merit is that they lead with purpose, offer opportunity and growth, behave with transparency, listen, and adapt. Now, which of these does your company abide by? It is important to point out that what puts these companies on these award lists is much more than perks and benefits. Perks and benefits can only get you so far. They have to tie back to employees – their purpose, their goals, what helps them grow.

I urge all employees to continually stand up for themselves and realize when they are unfairly treated. To employers, I encourage you to treat your employees as you would like to be treated.

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Jobs

Aviation Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Federal Revenue Deductions

Published

3 weeks ago

August 16, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Aviation workers have announced plans for a nationwide strike on August 21, 2024.

This action is in response to the Federal Government’s ongoing policy of deducting 50 percent from the internally generated revenue (IGR) of key aviation agencies.

The announcement was made in a letter dated August 14, 2024, by the unions representing the staff of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Services Agency (NiMet), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The letter, titled “Save Aviation From Collapse,” was shared with the media on Thursday.

The unions are protesting the financial strain imposed on these agencies by the government’s revenue deduction policy, which they argue threatens the operational capacity and safety of the aviation sector.

The agencies affected by the deductions are crucial for the management and safety of air travel in Nigeria.

“All workers of the affected agencies, joined by the solidarity of all aviation workers, are hereby directed to embark on peaceful protests at all airports nationwide on August 21, 2024,” the letter stated.

The unions are demanding an end to the 50 percent deduction and highlighting that the agencies are cost-recovery entities, not profit-making organizations. They assert that sustaining operations under these financial constraints is untenable.

The unions have raised concerns that the financial strain is already compromising critical safety activities within the agencies.

They warned that if the financial pressures persist, the industry could become dysfunctional, which would impact not only domestic but also international flight operations.

Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, expressed concerns about the potential impact of the strike.

He cautioned that a strike could severely disrupt airport operations and service providers, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays.

Achimugu acknowledged the unions’ notice of the protest and expressed hope that discussions between the aviation minister and the unions would address their concerns before the strike date.

Nnadi Hector, Forum Secretary of the Joint Aviation Trade Unions Forum, emphasized that the protest aims to draw the government’s attention to the detrimental effects of the revenue deductions.

Hector clarified that the strike is not directed against President Bola Tinubu but rather a measure to highlight the sector’s urgent need for financial stability.

“The protest is meant to bring the government’s attention to how these deductions are affecting the safety and functionality of our aviation sector,” Hector said.

He reiterated that aviation is a global sector regulated by international standards and that maintaining operational standards is essential for Nigeria’s credibility in the global aviation industry.

Jobs

Nigerians and Indians Lead UK Job Market Growth Amid Post-Brexit Migration Shifts

Published

4 weeks ago

August 14, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Indian and Nigerian nationals have emerged as the top contributors to job market growth between 2019 and 2023, surpassing British workers in numbers.

This development is highlighted in recent data released by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), reflecting significant changes in the country’s workforce composition following Brexit.

According to the data, Indian nationals experienced the most substantial employment growth, with an increase of 487,900 positions.

Nigerian workers followed closely, adding 278,700 jobs during the same period. In contrast, employment among UK nationals saw a more modest rise of 257,000 jobs.

This surge in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals coincides with a marked decline in job numbers for European Union (EU) nationals, who saw a decrease of 241,600 positions.

This shift underscores the broader impact of the UK’s post-Brexit migration policies, which have reshaped the labor market by tightening immigration rules and altering the composition of the workforce.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which remains the largest employer in the country, reflects this trend.

Data from a recent report, obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, ranks Nigeria among the top five countries with the highest number of NHS employees.

Approximately 10,494 Nigerians are currently employed by the NHS, placing them just behind Poland, which has 10,520 health workers.

The shift in employment patterns highlights the effectiveness of the new migration system introduced in January 2021.

Tory MP Neil O’Brien, who requested the data, commented on the “extraordinary changes” observed in the workforce.

He noted that the figures illustrate the significant impact of post-Brexit immigration reforms on the UK job market.

The broader employment statistics reveal that, overall, 1.481 million new jobs were created during this period, with 1.465 million of these filled by non-EU nationals.

This reflects a substantial shift away from reliance on EU labor, aligning with the UK government’s efforts to diversify its workforce sources and adapt to the new migration landscape.

The rise in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals signifies a dynamic transformation within the UK’s labor market, with these groups now playing a pivotal role in driving job market growth.

As the country continues to navigate the post-Brexit era, these trends underscore the evolving nature of its workforce and the significant contributions of international labor.

The ongoing adjustments in immigration policies and workforce composition are expected to further influence employment patterns in the coming years, shaping the future landscape of the UK job market.

Jobs

National Minimum Wage Bill Becomes Law Under President Tinubu’s Administration

Published

1 month ago

July 30, 2024

Samed Olukoya

President Bola Tinubu signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into law on Monday to improve the standard of living of workers.

The bill was enacted in the presence of the leadership of the National Assembly during a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, highlighting the collaborative effort between the executive and legislative branches.

This historic event marked the first time that the leadership of the National Assembly participated in a Federal Executive Council meeting.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and other top legislative members were in attendance.

Sources close to the Cabinet Office indicated that the National Assembly leaders were invited to the FEC meeting on short notice.

Their participation underscores the urgency and significance of the National Minimum Wage Bill, which aims to improve the living standards of Nigerian workers amidst the country’s economic difficulties.

The National Minimum Wage Bill is part of a broader effort by the Tinubu administration to address pressing economic issues and alleviate the financial burdens on the Nigerian workforce.

The legislation sets a new minimum wage, providing a much-needed boost to the purchasing power of workers and stimulating economic activity.

President Tinubu’s decision to sign the bill into law aligns with his commitment to economic reforms and social welfare.

By ensuring a minimum wage that reflects the cost of living, the administration hopes to reduce poverty levels and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

The presence of the National Assembly leaders at the FEC meeting also suggests a concerted effort to preempt potential protests and demonstrate a unified front in tackling the nation’s economic issues.

This move is seen as a strategic step to foster cooperation between the executive and legislative branches, ensuring the smooth implementation of the new wage policy.