My viewpoint is that the term “family”, used by employers, long ago became a cliché used by some of the most uncaring employers out there as a form of manipulation over employees. Would you not do anything for your family?
Many corporations like to refer to themselves as family. I lost track of the number of times that I heard, “EY family” when I worked for the big 4 consulting firm. With a large percentage of professionals still working from home, the lines between work and family further blur.
I find that people posses varying opinions on the merits of their employers referring to their teams as family. I would say those against it far out number those that embrace it. Users of MyBlankJob have weighed in with their views on this in recent posts Workplace Rants | My Blank Job:
For me personally, I work for a company that deeply values their employees. During one of our recent book club meetings, one of the company owners asked for perspectives on the reference of our employees as family. Folks were largely neutral towards the concept.
My viewpoint is that the term “family, used by employers, long ago became a cliché used by some of the most uncaring employers out there as a form of manipulation over employees. Would you not do anything for your family? Moreover, the concept of their employer referring to them as family is comical to many who escaped dysfunctional families. Lastly, for some the word family is sacred, like the words, “I love you.” I know this to be true for my best friend. When she refers to me and my boys as family, this has a deep meaning to her. The use of the word family by an employer can almost be misconstrued as crossing personal boundaries.
All of that said, there are employers who truly embrace their employees and truly care. I am fortunate that my own employer falls into the category. One of the first people that I called when Brainy Bird received his Stamps Scholarship was the head of our HR. I could not wait to share the fantastic news with her. My employers represent the exception, not the norm in corporate America.
I believe we should all think about the sort of atmosphere we are cultivating in our work places. We can build strong teams that collaborate and work together without the use of the word family, which inevitability alienates many. What are your thoughts on corporate families? I invite you to sound off at Workplace Rants | My Blank Job.