Everybody understands that the world of work has changed. So it is vital to clarify and communicate the new employment contract. This should outline the employer’s and employee’s responsibilities in achieving the organisation’s goals. Imagine you have been invited to help an organisation to create such a contract. Let’s explore how to make this happen.

1) You can clarify the new employment contract.

Start by involving the leadership team in clarifying their view of the new kind of contract. Invite them to brainstorm what they believe are:

a) The employer’s responsibilities in working towards achieving the organisation goals.

This is both a practical and psychological contract. So the employer’s responsibilities may include, for example:

* to communicate the picture of success;

* to communicate the strategies for achieving success;

* to create an encouraging environment in which people can achieve success;

* to encourage people to use their strengths to contribute to achieving the picture of success;

* to make clear contracts with people about their part in achieving the picture of success.

* to give people the support they need to do superb work;

* to provide the encouragement, tools and opportunities that people can use to take charge of developing their careers.

* to do whatever is necessary to guide the organisation to success;

b) The employee’s responsibilities in working towards achieving the organisation goals.

* to choose to contribute to the picture of success;

* to clarify their part in implementing the strategies for achieving success;

* to contribute to creating an encouraging environment in which people can achieve success;

* to use their strengths to contribute to achieving the picture of success;

* to make clear contracts about their part in achieving the picture of success.

* to do superb work;

* to take charge of developing their careers.

* to do whatever is necessary to achieve the picture of success.

You may then want to involve groups of employees in adding to the contract. This is what we did in the early days at Air Miles, the loyalty company. One surprise was they were even tougher in stressing the responsibilities of the employees. Let’s imagine you have been asked to put together such a contract. How would you make it happen? Try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to clarify
the new employment contract are:

*

*

*

2) You can communicate the new employment contract.

Communicating the contract is crucial, for example, when interviewing prospective employees. Today’s professionals know this ‘contract’ intuitively, but they appreciate it being spelled-out. People can then choose whether or not they want to join this kind of organisation.

Older organisations face a trickier challenge - especially if they have many people who are institutionalised. But that is just the sort of situation where it is necessary to communicate the contract. Sometimes it takes time to embed the new approach. Several years ago one established company tried to communicate such a contract, but failed to do so properly. One year later terrible financial results produced lay-offs and they re-communicated the contract. People realised that, in order to survive, they must all take responsibility. So they adopted the new way of working. The company is now relatively successful - but with a modern employment contract.

How would you communicate such a contract? Try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to communicate
the new employment contract are:

*

*

*

3) You can continue reviewing the new employment contract.

Times change. ‘Older style’ organisations, for example, would have produced a document that required employees to be ‘on-site’ five days a week. Modern companies will give people more freedom providing: a) They are contactable; b) They deliver great results. How to keep up-to-date? One approach is to gather groups of employees – leaders, managers and front-liners – to revitalise the contract. You could also start with a blank piece of paper and begin again. Whatever method you use, it is vital to continue to clarify, communicate and get commitment to the contract. People will then know the practical and psychological rules for working together. Bearing these points in mind, try completing the following sentence.

The specific things I can do to keep reviewing
the new employment contract are:

*

*

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