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An expert with more than 25 years’ experience has shared his definitive “filth” list for charges in 2024 – and almost every Australian is guilty of at least one.
Craig Sneesby, managing director of U&U Recruitment Partners, has noticed a massive change in attitude in offices, especially as more people return to the workplace after long periods at home.
Here he reveals his top “alarm” behaviors with FEMAIL: from a passive-aggressive email tone to micromanagement and inflexible work schedules.
Craig Sneesby (pictured) is an expert on how bosses can avoid grossing out their employees.
1. Expectations of constant availability
A flexible workplace doesn’t mean you always have to be available to your employer.
So it’s no surprise that expecting them to respond immediately or be available all the time outside of work hours is the biggest turn-off for employees.
‘Candidates want to hit the ‘pause’ button at work when the day is over. Do you expect them to be available 24/7? That’s a big no-no,” she stated.
“Respect those boundaries so everyone can recharge and be their best selves when they are active.”
2. Create a toxic work culture
Employers would also do well to keep drama, gossip, and office politics away and keep the focus on creating a workplace culture that is fun, uplifting, and positive.
Workers gravitate toward workplaces and employers that offer inspiring leadership, flexibility, and show empathy. The old style of dictatorship is about to disappear.
“They want to work in a place that’s more like a team hangout than a high school cafeteria,” Craig said.
3. Email faux pas
It seems that no one wants to read an overly formal or long email from their boss either. Craig advises you to avoid this by being direct and having a comfortable level of informality that is more like how he would speak in person.
“Let’s get to the point,” Craig said. “Long, stuffy emails belong to the last decade.”
Trusting employees and giving them the freedom to manage their time reduces stress
Employees should also avoid CCing the boss in emails unnecessarily. Sneesby compares this to inviting the director to a group chat about plans for the weekend. Nobody wants to be guilty of that.
Craig’s latest email faux pas is sending repeated follow-up emails.
“Don’t do it,” Craig warned. “When you find that you want to follow up once again, it might be appropriate to try to ‘chill out’ or, failing that, try another approach.”
Positive workplaces that avoid drama and gossip will ensure that employees do not become angry
4. Inflexible work schedules
Flexibility and trust are key to keeping staff happy, Craig says.
He advises that if a worker wants to start early or work late, “let them do that 10 a.m. yoga class without giving them side-eye.”
Trusting them with the freedom to manage their own time is what he calls the “secret sauce to a happy workplace.”
5. Judge emoji usage
Recruitment expert Craig is, perhaps controversially, encouraging bosses to adopt the emoji.
He also warns that managers should keep communication light and respectful and never be passive-aggressive.
If you are an employer who is guilty of not always being friendly and who may have the occasional anger problem, then a smiley face emoji may come in handy after all.
Just make sure you stay away from these top 10 emojis that will definitely make you look too “old.”
6. Toxic traits
There are three things that do not work in 2024: authoritarianism, inflexibility and lack of empathy.
‘Ditch the dictator act, keep an open mind and show some heart! Empathy is not just a buzzword; It’s essential,” Craig said.
“Leaders who understand and care about their team’s feelings and who truly treat employees like human beings score highly in the modern workforce.”
