This is one of the most difficult challenges that a manager or business owner ever faces. How do you know whether an employee is loyal? Is it even possible to ever really know?
The dictionary defines “loyal” as 1 : unswerving in allegiance: as a : faithful in allegiance to one’s lawful sovereign or government b : faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c : faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product.
Ok, that sounds good on paper, but we don’t live and work on paper.
Maybe one way of defining loyalty is to see who sticks with you in during the tough times. Sure everybody loves to be with a winner, but who sticks with you know matter what?
Is time a big factor in determining loyalty. If someone works for you for many years are they loyal, just by virtue of their tenure? If someone has worked for you for more than 5 years, does that make them loyal? Maybe. Maybe not. What about 10 or 20 years? Obvioulsy most people are working for the paycheck- that’s what they are supposed to do.
So how do you know if someone is loyal?
Ultimately actions speak louder than words. Maybe that is a good enough conclusion.
by Bernie Reifkind, CEO of Premier Search, Inc.
PsiHealth.com
Healthcare Staffing Agency