Jack Stewart, MD, a Tacoma, Wash.-based orthopedic surgeon subspecializes in hand surgery, discusses how orthopedic practices can ensure employee satisfaction.
Q: How can practice leaders gauge the satisfaction of their employees?
Dr. Jack Stewart: Employee turnover is the clearest way to gauge the satisfaction of their employees. If you have a lot of employees coming and going, you must be doing something wrong. As added incentive to reducing your practice's turnover, keep in mind that maintaining long-term employees who won't depart is one of the best cost cutting ideas to avoid the expenses associated with new hires.
As an aside, it's also fairly easy to tell if people are happy by interacting with them on a day-to-day basis. If you're not interacting with them enough to notice any issues or discontent, then you are not fostering the right environment.
Q: How can orthopedic practices engage their employees within the business/management structure?
JS: We treat our employees well so that they feel good about the work environment and, subsequently, want the practice as a whole to succeed. You need to establish a culture that exhibits your care for your employees. For example, we provided our employees with dental coverage, health insurance benefits, retirement plans, Christmas bonuses, free lunch parties, and the kitchen was always stocked with food. We had employees that worked for us for over 25 years, and they identify and feel like an integral part of the practice.
Q: How can practices ensure employee satisfaction?
JS: The medical field is one of the great career fields that has been able to withstand the depths of this difficult recession, but offering a position in this industry is not enough to keep your employees happy. In addition to establishing a work-friendly, personal environment, we also make sure to provide benefits that will meet or exceed employee expectations, including health insurance, dental insurance and retirement plans, such as an individual 401k plan.
Q: What team building activities are essential for a harmonious work environment?
JS: We open up our house for the annual Christmas party for all of our employees and their spouses to attend each year. In fact, this past year, even after having sold the practice, we bought time at a bowling alley for all of our employees' families to attend, which we paid for out of pocket even though they are technically no longer our employees. We all care about the business and want to succeed, and ultimately, this requires a motivated and content team.
Unlike many corporate environments, we don't try to instruct our employees as to how to be a part of a team, but instead try to lead by example and truly foster a generous and warm environment.
Thank you to Money Crashers, one of the top personal finance blogs, for coordinating this interview.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Practices:
8 Ways to Elevate Orthopedic Practice Employee Satisfaction
Selling an Orthopedic Practice to the Hospital: Q&A With Hand Surgeon Dr. Jack Stewart
5 Points on Integrating Spine & Sports Medicine Into One Orthopedic Group
Q: How can practice leaders gauge the satisfaction of their employees?
Dr. Jack Stewart: Employee turnover is the clearest way to gauge the satisfaction of their employees. If you have a lot of employees coming and going, you must be doing something wrong. As added incentive to reducing your practice's turnover, keep in mind that maintaining long-term employees who won't depart is one of the best cost cutting ideas to avoid the expenses associated with new hires.
As an aside, it's also fairly easy to tell if people are happy by interacting with them on a day-to-day basis. If you're not interacting with them enough to notice any issues or discontent, then you are not fostering the right environment.
Q: How can orthopedic practices engage their employees within the business/management structure?
JS: We treat our employees well so that they feel good about the work environment and, subsequently, want the practice as a whole to succeed. You need to establish a culture that exhibits your care for your employees. For example, we provided our employees with dental coverage, health insurance benefits, retirement plans, Christmas bonuses, free lunch parties, and the kitchen was always stocked with food. We had employees that worked for us for over 25 years, and they identify and feel like an integral part of the practice.
Q: How can practices ensure employee satisfaction?
JS: The medical field is one of the great career fields that has been able to withstand the depths of this difficult recession, but offering a position in this industry is not enough to keep your employees happy. In addition to establishing a work-friendly, personal environment, we also make sure to provide benefits that will meet or exceed employee expectations, including health insurance, dental insurance and retirement plans, such as an individual 401k plan.
Q: What team building activities are essential for a harmonious work environment?
JS: We open up our house for the annual Christmas party for all of our employees and their spouses to attend each year. In fact, this past year, even after having sold the practice, we bought time at a bowling alley for all of our employees' families to attend, which we paid for out of pocket even though they are technically no longer our employees. We all care about the business and want to succeed, and ultimately, this requires a motivated and content team.
Unlike many corporate environments, we don't try to instruct our employees as to how to be a part of a team, but instead try to lead by example and truly foster a generous and warm environment.
Thank you to Money Crashers, one of the top personal finance blogs, for coordinating this interview.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Practices:
8 Ways to Elevate Orthopedic Practice Employee Satisfaction
Selling an Orthopedic Practice to the Hospital: Q&A With Hand Surgeon Dr. Jack Stewart
5 Points on Integrating Spine & Sports Medicine Into One Orthopedic Group