Can empathy increase business results? I think it probably can when it comes to contingent workers.Companies are turning increasing to contractors, temps and outsourced workers. Some of them are happily self-employed or untroubled to be working for a temporary staffing agency—high-skilled professionals especially seem to like independent contractor status.  But a good portion of today’s free agents aren’t working that way voluntarily. They would prefer the steadier situation of regular employment. They may have been laid off during the downturn, or they may be straight out of college and eager to grasp the lowest rung of the career ladder.  For these folks, temp or contractor work is a last resort rather than a first choice. They are more un-free than free agents. As such, they probably enter into work assignments with an engagement deficit. They may be determined to do a decent job, but by definition aren’t thrilled to be working as they are.

via Why Firms Should Care About the Plight of Un-Free Agents – Work In Progress Blog – Workforce.

Arms-Length Embrace – Work In Progress Blog – Workforce.

I agree with more empathy.  I totally disagree with the notion that higher levels of empathy will reduce or eliminate the so-called issue of “engagement deficit”.  You reduce or eliminate “engagement deficit” by hiring these individuals to regular jobs with benefits.

What ever happened to common sense?  Are numbers more important than people?  Never forget the simple fact people who get the work done create the numbers.