Employees need respect ®

From previans pane

were contacted for, with no end in sight and for little or no real compensation or appreciation, other than the privilege of keeping their job.

If a person finds himself’ or herself in that situation there are usually one of three major reasons. First, they are not capable of doing the job and therefore should look for something more suited before they make themselves ili.

The second possibility is that there is just too much work and if this is the case then the emplover has a moral and ethical obligation to rectify the situation by adding more statf (I can just hear the weeping and gnash- ing of teeth about cutting into the bottom line!).

The third scenario is, unfortunately, all too com- mon today and is a case of the employer knowing they have a particular employee “by the bails.” These toe rags will drive poor souls as hard as possible, all the while echoing the underlying sug- gestion tht if they don't do it, then there are tons of people “ ‘out there” willing to take their place. The end result of this cruel use of human effort usually trans- lates into poor physical health, an unhappy life out- side of the workplace and invariably, a broken spirit.

I spent almost 20 years in the Canadian broadcast busi- ness and enjoyed a chalileng- ing and lucrative career in an arena that was considered by many to be high pressure and soinewhat volatile. I was also fortunate to have : worked for an organization for most of that time that really understood the mean- | ing and value of caring about its people.

.Bob } Alexander was the

(NOOR TH

Sport Awards

president of Alexander, Pearson, Dawson, and | joined his company when I returned to Canada after a two-year stint working tora Canadian broadcaster in my hometown of London, England. APD established its head office in Toronto and was the most successful of its type at the time. In fact it enjoyed such a high profile that employees in competi- tive organizations were con- standy calling to try and jump ship. (Makes you won- der how 1 managed to get the job!)

Now this was nota “soft” oudiit to work for and indeed there were times when many of us were challenged close to our professional limits. Very few however, wavered from the tasks set for them because everyone involved in the process realized they were part of a group and really did “give a shee.” Staff was very well paid (above industry standards), enjoyed a very generous benefit pack- age as well as a great deal of flexibility when it came down to taking care of important personal matters. They also felt secure and well regarded so that they were well able to concentrate on the jobs they had been hired to perform.

The end result of course was higher individual output, very low staff turnover, and from the owners’ point of view, a feeling that they were contributing to the emotion- al and physical welfare of employees and their families. All this while making signifi- cant profits!

On one occasion, when asked by other businessmen to show them the most valu- able asset his company had, Bob Alexander stated that al} they had to do was stand by the elevators every morning and evening and see his

“secret advantage.” There they would see each and

SH ORE

_ Saturday, April 29, 7:30pm CANLAN ICE SPORTS NORTH SHORE

every one of his statf arrive cach morning and leave each night. As he says “People are the only reason we are suc- cesstal — the rest is just win- dow dressing!”

Bob Alexander demon- strated (and stilt does) a phi- losophy that some of the so- called dot com executives might want to take into their brains and hearts and execute on the people they hire to make themselves successful. In domg so they may help a little in making the short period we all spend on this planet a kinder and gentler place to be. They may also want to be reminded of the theory that the reason there is no life on other planets is because their scientists and computers were more advanced than ours.

And in case some of you people out their still need convincing while you're putting some staff through “the ringer” just because vou can get away with it, you may want to remember an anonymous comment that suggests “It is a hard but good law of fate that just as every evil, so every excessive power eventually wears itself out.”

Translation: “What goes around comes around.”

Shane Collins is a physical trainer, athletic coach and marathon swimmer. He is also a professional speaker on the subirct of sport and henith.

Ringette B.C, Ladies Ringstts Millenalum tnvitational Tournament Ice Sports North Shore

NEWS photo Cinay Goodman

Bronze ring

HILARY Smith of the North/West Vancouver Crease Lightning slides ihe ring down ice at Ice Sports North Shore. The host squad was third in the B.C. invitational ringette tournament.

Gold: Abbotstord Swizzie Chicks

Silver: Quesnel/Prince George Northern Babes on Blades

Bronze: North West Vancouver Crease Lightning

SUNDAY —- FINAL Abbotstard 8

THIRD PLACE NorthWest Vancouver 10 SEMI-FINALS Quesnel/Prince George 7 Abbotsford 10

ROSTER — North/West Van Crease Lightning Margie Amold. Janice Brooking, Carol Campbell, Debbie Couiter, Linda Evans. Jaya Gamache, Diane Grancison, Annie Harkins, Nancy Herring, Brenda Janzen, Deborah Litnosky, Katy Mayrs. Denny McArthur, Hilary Smith, Peggy Smith, Kathleen Widdows. Head coach: Bryan Brooking. assistant coach: Bruce Coulter, managers: Katy Mayrs, Deb Coulter.

North West Vancocver Ringette

1999-2000 awards

Players representing British Columbia and their awards {these players are also members of each Lower Mainiand Alt Star Team)

TEAM B.C. TWEEN

Laura Oobell and Jackie Legzdins: silver at Western Canadian Championships

TEAM B.C. JUNIOR

Melanie Thomas and Emma Dowds: Sth at Canadian National Championships

TEAM B.C. BELLE

Jen Tait and Jessica Tuwnshend: bronze at Canadian National Championships

TEAM B.C. DEB

Keri Jesson: 4th place at Championships

TEAM B.C. INTERMEDIATE Allison Binnie, Sara-Jane Scott and Sara Cunningham: bronze at Canadian Nationa! Championships

Sara Cunningham was selected to the 1st team of all- stars at the national tournament

ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Andrea Fedcerson Memorial Award - Jenife: Smith (in memory of Andrea, a player who was killed in an acci- dent. Selection criteria: ieadership, tenacity of play, and overall contribution to sport cf ringette.

Quesnel/Prince George 2 Vernon 7

North/West Vancouver 4 Vernon 4

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