Mark Hammar There are many reasons for a company to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. An organization can gain better control of their processes and focus more on customer requirements, which will lead to improved customer satisfaction. However, are there benefits for the employees of the company as well?
The answer is yes. There are seven key principles upon which the ISO 9001 standard is based, and many of these have a direct benefit to the employees. The seven principles are: Customer focus, Leadership, Engagement of people, Process approach, Improvement, Evidence based decisions, and Relationship management. While each of these could provide benefits to the employees by securing the company and improving job security, there are a few that can make the workplace environment better for employees.
For more information on the principles behind the requirements of ISO 9001, see this article on the Seven Quality Management Principles behind ISO 9001 requirements.
How does the engagement of people benefit employees?
While people want to have security at work, most employees also want to be satisfied with the work they do, and engaging the employees in the processes of the Quality Management System can improve their job satisfaction. When people become part of the processes of the Quality Management System, and management recognizes how integral the people are, then the job becomes more interesting and engaging. Job satisfaction comes from doing work that you find to be worthwhile.
As well, employees who receive training within their organization feel as if they are more a part of the overall team. If the company management is willing to put the time and resources into training employees, then the employees will feel more appreciated and valued. These employees will be engaged in their work and more focused and integrated with helping the company succeed.
Can QMS improvement benefit employees?
While improvement is important to make the processes more effective and efficient, thus saving time and money, it also serves a purpose for the employees doing the job. First, as part of the improvement team that studies and enhances the processes, these employees will find greater job satisfaction as already mentioned above. Learning and developing the skills to perform process improvements is yet another skill that can enhance the job satisfaction of employees through all levels of the company.
Secondly, improvements to the process will invariably lead to improvements of the jobs being performed. The tasks that employees do will become easier to do and often inherently safer for the employees. Improved safety and easier job tasks can also improve the satisfaction that an employee has with their job and reduce workplace accidents and injuries. A safer employee is a happier employee.
Do evidence-based decisions help employees?
Along with wanting to improve their workplace, employees often know before management what difficulties are encountered in the job. Often, employees are frustrated because concerns are not heard or seem to be overlooked. However, when evidence-based decisions are used, the employees can know that their concerns are valued and backed up with the data needed to work towards improvement. Decisions based on data mean that the knowledge of employees can be captured to benefit both the employees and the company.
The employee benefits of a QMS are a bonus for the company
While you will not implement a QMS just to gain benefits to the employees, these additional benefits will help with employee retention and satisfaction, which is good for your company. Happy employees will stay longer so that you can gain the benefits of their development from the training you have provided, and you will save money on training new employees when dissatisfied employees leave.
Knowing that your employees will also benefit from your ISO 9001 implementation can also be a point to make it easier to engage employees in your business and draw from their knowledge to make the Quality Management System work for you. When implementing ISO 9001 is seen as a win-win for both the company and the employees, the process of implementing is much easier and faster to do; so, work with your employees so that everyone benefits.
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