Labor & Employment Law Blog

About a decade ago, the Harvard Business Review found that employees who feel love, i.e., that they are cared for, perform better.  The key is the Review was talking about “companionate love” and not romantic love.  Companionate love in the workplace is based on caring, affection, and connection - rather than passion.  The article argued that the more love, care, and connection co-workers feel at work, the more engaged they are.  While it is not shocking that those who experience more caring perform better, the article noted that there is a lack of focus on building a supportive emotional culture by management.

Benefits of Companionate Love

Employees who work in a caring atmosphere typically have higher levels of satisfaction in their job and less job-related burnout.  This typically corresponds with loved employees showing up to work more often.  As employers struggle to bring employees back to the physical workspace, making the office a more caring environment will result in an increase in physical attendance as workers try to suck up the oxytocin.  People who work in an environment where they are encouraged to express tenderness and compassion for one another are typically more satisfied with their jobs, which leads to enhanced teamwork, resulting in overall commitment to the company and accountability for performance.  The company is less likely to suffer from negative outcomes such as absenteeism, burnout, and turnover.

How Can Companies Show The Love

Whole Foods Markets has a set of management principles that begin with love.  PepsiCo lists caring as its first guiding principle on its website.  While it is nice to have mission statements and policies that acknowledge the importance of love, words on a piece of paper are meaningless if they do not result in action.  Besides sexual harassment training, employers should consider training on how companionate love can be incorporated to everyday actions in the workplace.

There are a variety of ways that love can be integrated into the workplace.  For some, simple words of affirmation are the language of love in the office.  This can be accomplished by something as simple as letting someone know they presented well at a meeting by telling them directly or by leaving them an email, text, or even a post-it note.  The key is to be personal and specific and not just giving generic compliments.

Another way to show love in the workplace is through gifts.  Small personal items such as cards or a box of candy to congratulate an achievement makes people feel especially appreciated.  Sometimes it might be something more direct like a pay raise or bonus.  Remembering someone’s birthday or work anniversary speaks volumes about showing people that you care.  A gift does not have to be monetary.  Sometimes giving someone extra time on a project can be the greatest gift of all.

Why We Should Care

We cannot always control salary and benefits, but managers have a huge say in a work environment.  Sometimes it is the intangibles that allow companies to hold on to employees.  Employees who feel underappreciated are typically least satisfied and more prone to leave.  High turnover leads to higher replacement costs as well as team uncertainty.  By inserting acts of companionate love in the office, managers can help boost engagement, team loyalty, overall satisfaction, and ultimately customer satisfaction.

Employer Takeaways

• In addition to focusing on teamwork and innovation, employers should cultivate an emotional culture that focuses on pride and empathy.
• Managers need to pay attention to emotions they express, because as a leader, they set the tone for the atmosphere in the workplace.  Establishing the right climate in the office can boost engagement, team loyalty, and overall employee satisfaction.
• Review company policies and practices to enhance greater kindheartedness.  The ability to share vacation days with people in need or organize emergency funds and thrift stores for those who suffer from natural calamities are actions companies can take to show they care.
• Ensure that your processes and systems allow people to have the time and energy to be caring and compassionate.  When people are stretched too thin or stressed, it can be hard for them to think about anyone other than themselves.
• An environment imbued with affection and caring encourages employees to put forth their best efforts, which drives the company towards higher satisfaction levels, resulting in increased profits and improved customer outcomes.
• It is the small moments that matter the most.  A smile, a kind note, remembering a birthday, and a sympathetic ear, help create and maintain a strong culture of companionate love and the resultant increases in satisfaction and productivity.

  This AALRR publication is intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in reaching a conclusion in a particular area of law. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. Receipt of this or any other AALRR publication does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Firm is not responsible for inadvertent errors that may occur in the publishing process.

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