Sometimes it may seem hard to make the right decision in life, as the complexity of modern relationships and social roles rarely allows for an obvious, straightforward solution. Therefore, various tools should be utilized by every individual in order to understand the full picture and set priorities in the most efficient way. The “Seven Steps to Solving a Problem” approach has proven to be one of the most efficient options and, therefore, should be applied to the scenario that is centered around the employer-employee relationship.
One should always look at the big picture to understand the underlying factors. The company vividly has hard times and has to cut costs by firing some workers, which may irritate other employees. The real issue about the necessity to work harder for the same pay in a small company is that it is temporary and will be rewarded once the revenues rise.
There are three major ways to address the issue: supporting fellow workers, asking the boss to increase the pay independently, and supporting the boss and the company. Sahoo and Sahoo (2019) underline the importance of developing trust building climate by focusing on organizational justice and conflict management. If the boss of the small company has always been supportive and fair, the best solution would be to support him/her during this challenging period. In this case, the hardest part would be to find the right way to explain to colleagues the reasoning behind the decision to support the boss.
In order to convince fellow workers, it would be rational to make simple calculations and prove that the company desperately needs support in this tough period. It is important to gather the upset colleagues and present them with the calculations. If it doesn’t work, it is crucial to pinpoint the necessity of completing the big project prior to any negotiations concerning the pay rise.
Reference
Sahoo, R., & Sahoo, C. K. (2019). Organizational justice, conflict management and employee relations: The mediating role of the climate of trust. International Journal of Manpower, 40(4), 783-799. Web.