Price of Loyalty in Pakistan

I need loyal employees, what can we do to engage employees, how employees will stay longer etc. etc.
are some of the questions usually asked from HR & OD experts, directors and Managers by employers all
over but particularly in Pakistan. This is hard to believe that the person asking such questions is the
reason of employee turnover in most of the cases. Hold on, I am not writing against employers because
employers are the energizers for business activity which results employment of many people. The point I
am trying to make why not look into price or cost of loyalty in Pakistan. YOU PAY THE PRICE, BUY
THE LOYALTY AND RETAIN YOUR BEST EMPLOYEES. Before we jump to any
conclusion lets understand one case and extract some points from it.
Context:
Mr. X is an old employee (Name is not disclosed due to certain reasons) of one organization which
believe in providing slightly above the market salaries and no other benefits whatsoever. Unfortunately
such organizations are found in abundance here and their heads speak out loud, PAKISTAN IS HEAVIN
FOR BUSINESS. Pakistan is land of endless opportunities and they are quite right in saying as most
employees are underpaid and overburdened. Tax invasion, under invoicing, window dressing in financial
statements and theft of import duty is common norm. Facilities such as health insurance, medical, proper
leave policies, bonuses, provident fund, gratuity, school fees reimbursement, religious rituals funds,
bereavement compensations etc. neither paid nor regulated by the government. Apart from that no
significant platform for employees to raise voice for their rights to get justice Forget about justice and
time to get justice.Its a long debate.
Loyal Employee Pain:
Coming back to Mr. X who spent fourteen (14) years in the organization visit my office and bombarded
me with following questions right away;
Mr. HR Manager .I have given my golden time to this organizationsI was the first one to
go on. I stood in bad times. I never get proper increments.. I left many other
offers Why I didnt receive my shareCan you pay me back that time.. My golden
age If I left the job tomorrowWhat would I have.I would be walking away empty
handedWhere is my growth. You give me just enough to stay alive10% increment is not
the answer for all those years.. I have given you 14 years of my life.etc. etc.
At the end he said, You (Employer) has gone the distance and drives latest luxury vehicle but my
conditions are the same.

I was listening him carefully and starring at the same time. Now lets analyze the answers with
Employers Perspective.
Employer Answer (Perspective)
Look Mr. X, I have raised your salary after every year.. You came as an ordinary
worker.. You have been provided with ample training to do the job. You know nothing...
We teach you everything.. We paid you more than your abilities If youre not happy we
can part our ways form tomorrow.Conversation closed!
Employees Feelings
After listening such answers Mr. X will be torn into pieces and started cursing himself for working in an
organization which offer not benefits. No future for his children. His efforts are wasted. What did I
achieve in whole of my life? No one value loyalty. I was the fool. I should have left this country etc.
etc.
What Can We Learn From The Case?
1. Never opt for any job which offer no benefits.. One must try to find job offer with at least
standard benefits.
2. Manage you financials accordingly If employers are not offering benefits but offering
more salary.Invest in saving plans to avoid being called Mr. X.
3. Eighty Five (85%) employers are the same.. You would not find great employers easily.
Leave the country early if you want not after fourteen years.
4. Change employers after three (03) years. If you feel there is nothing for you in longer run
than change your job and try to find better job or employer.
5. Stop cursing employer for every problem in your life.
6. Employment is an agreement with consideration for both parties.Salary for employee
and completion of work for employer. Once the agreement is over, the relationship is almost over.
Stop the blame game.
Remember Mr. X: This is your life.You choose this job after considering other alternatives. You
have made the selection so you will face the consequences.
Remember Employers: Loyalty is hard to buy but employees can stay longer if paid well, empowered,
valued, appreciated and offered something else other than salary (Rewards vary from organization to
organization).
The fact is, Employer should share some fruit which they yield from HEAVEN.

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Loyalty