The top 5 workplace secrets

1. How much the guys around you earn.
Rationale: "If they know how much everyone else earns, they'll all want a payrise."
Reality: When salaries are public knowledge it keeps the company and employees honest. Neither wants to be seen to be unfair in what they offer or ask for. And let's face it - people find out in the end.
Fix it! Be brave and open your books to your people. It might force you to iron out some idiosyncracies, but it'll be for the best. Once your people get used to working in such a transparent environment they won't want to leave... and this includes director's salaries and benefts too!

2. How much profit the company makes.
Rationale: "If the employees know we're profitable then they'll either want to be paid more, or stop working so hard."
Reality: People like to be a part of something successful, and in most cases companies actually make less net profit than employees realise.
Fix it! See No. 1. And be generous and share the wealth when you're doing well - you'll be rewarded with loyalty.

3. What the owner REALLY wants.
Rationale: "If my people know I'm just building this company to sell it then how will I get them to buy in to my vision?"
Reality: Employees are clever enough to figure out if they're 'working for the man'.
Fix it! If you want to attract and retain the best people then the long-term vision must benefit everyone. Be honest about what you plan to do.

4. Just how bad things are.
Rationale: "We're working on the problems and we don't want to cause panic"
Reality: People can sense fear, failure and trouble. They know when things aren't going well.
Fix it! People at all levels in a company can come up with great ideas to fix problems, and they'll be prepared to be flexible, providing they know the business genuinely cares about their interests too. Get those great minds working on the problems.

5. What goes on when the big cheeses get together for the board meeting.
Rationale: "At the board meeting we discuss commercially sensitive issues candidly - it needs to be top secret."
Reality: Your people are affected by the decisons that you make in the board meeting in one way or another, and the more secretive you are, the more people will draw their own - often negative - conclusions about what you are planning.
Fix it! Have one or two 'open seats' at your board meeting for employees on a first-come-first-served basis. These employees get an equal vote on any decisions made at the meeting. You'll be amazed at how useful the additional perspective is.

Comments

[Alex Farran]

The worst secrets aren't the ones you've listed. As you say, the employees will find out anyway. No, the secrets that matter are the little bits of gossip and politics whispered behind your back that divide the company and ostracise employees who refuse to join internal cliques and make the right alliances.

[Tom Nixon]

I agree - a transparent culture is so important.

[Ash]

If your lot knew how much I earned they would all want a payrise ;)