The Work Code in Costa Rica and in other countries says that employment relationship as a contract between the parties can be terminated by any of them at any time.. It is understood that as part of this contract, there are a number of duties and rights from both, the employee and the employer (the company or organization). Some examples are the ones related to the privacy of proprietary information of the company, the use of computer equipment and Websites banned in INTERNET among others. If companies’ regulations are according to constitutional freedoms and are legal, employees must abide them.
However, the way companies view their employees and try to control their behavior or job performance as often is related to the "X" and "Y” theory by Douglas McGregor[1]. The McGregor's X-Y theory is a salutary and simple reminder of the natural rules for managing people, which under the pressure of day-to-day business are all too easily forgotten. By summarizing this theory, there are basically two ways of seeing our employees, two fundamental approaches to managing people. The negative way is the following:
Theory “X
· The average person dislikes work and will avoid it he/she can.
· Therefore most people must be forced with the threat of punishment to work towards organizational objectives.
· The average person prefers to be directed to avoid responsibility; he/she is relatively unambitious, and wants security above all else.
And the positive way is the following:
Theory “Y”
· Effort in work is as natural as work and play.
· People will apply self-control and self-direction in the pursuit of organisational objectives, without external control or the threat of punishment.
· Commitment to objectives is a function of rewards associated with their achievement.
· People usually accept and often seek responsibility.
· The capacity to use a high degree of imagination, ingenuity and creativity in solving organisational problems is widely, not narrowly, distributed in the population.
· In industry the intellectual potential of the average person is only partly utilised.
When a company decides to review the emails of its employees, ( sometimes without the employees' knowledge it is choosing the negative way, using the theory "X". Research and experience of management have shown that many managers tending to use theory “X”, have generally obtained poor results. However, others have used theory “Y” obtaining better performance and results allowing people to grow and develop[2].
The best way to get loyalty and an excellent work environment is empowering employees. They should be aware that they are useful and reliable. They should know that although there is a regulation that controls their performance, behavior, and work, the company relies on respect without any kind of supervision.
Notes:
[1] American social psychologist, proposed his famous X-Y theory in his 1960 book 'The Human Side of Enterprise'. Theory x and theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and motivation. McGregor’s X-Y Theory remains a valid basic principle from which to develop positive management style and techniques. McGregor's XY Theory remains central to organizational development, and to improving organizational culture.
[2] http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm
