10 ways to an efficient working relationship

After you have found a groom, agreed the terms of employment it is now the role of the employer to keep the groom happy… Or is it?

A good working relationship is the key to a happy and efficient team, but this of course must come from both the employer and the employee.

The Equestrian Employers Association (EEA) shares this helpful advice when it comes to working as a team.

1. “It’s important that everyone knows what is going on day to day and they feel involved. We meet at 7am each morning to discuss the day and responsibilities. I find it a much more efficient way of working, it makes people feel involved and they then take pride and ownership for their duties” explains Yard Owner Jane Davies.
   
   
2. Being honest. “As a groom one of the things I find most frustrating is the lack of honesty. I really don’t like it when an employer promises something, such as a specific day off, or they promise training and then it isn’t delivered on. It makes you feel a very unimportant part of the team” commented polo groom Tasmin Petts. Honesty works both ways though and employers often state that honesty, integrity and reliability among their top most sought after qualities when looking for a groom.
   
   
3. Setting standards and expectations early on. “It can be frustrating when people don’t tell you how they like things doing and then six weeks down the line change it when you feel like you have just got to grips with it. I’d rather be told from the start and then be able to do my job to someone’s liking than them not be 100% happy with it” explained Tasmin. 

4. In a study undertaken by the British Grooms Association the top answer for what grooms wanted from their job, ahead of money, was acknowledgement and recognition for the work they do. A simple thank you goes a long way, and this works both ways.
   
   
5. Being approachable. “Always make sure you know your team can talk to you” said Jane, “Problems arise when you are not made aware of problems, and it usually makes it easier for them to talk to us about it when they know you are there to listen and help if you can.”
   
   
6. Team work. A happy team makes a happy yard and happy horses. It is important to iron out any little niggles along the way. Organising yard drinks or a night out can really help to improve working relations. A lot of team work comes down to communication and everyone striving for the same end goal.
   
   A common complaint is that one team member is constantly working to their maximum and another one isn’t working so hard, so the hard working one is always running around trying to do job of the less motivated one. Unfortunately unless the problem is addressed it’s likely to cause friction and frustration between team members and usually results in the harder working team player feeling demotivated. Communication on both sides is key to resolving this issue.
   
   
7. Treat people as you wish to be treated. A smile in the morning, the offer of a cup of tea and a simple thank you goes a very long way in a happy working relationship.
   
   
8. What makes a good employer? “Honesty and integrity; and you have to give it to it get back. You need to allow time off and respect that they have a life outside of the yard” explains Yard owner and Manager Christine Shubrook.
   
   
9. What makes a good employee? “For me it’s somebody who buys into the yard. I don’t expect them to be as committed as I am, that’s my problem and I need to learn to switch off, but it is somebody though who understands we are all working hard. And also someone who is completely honest and considerate of others around them” explains Christine. “I think reliability, dedication to work, obviously nice people and they have to have a sense of humour – is a hard slog as we all know!” adds Jane.
   
   
10. Keep it professional. Blurred lines make for tricky working relationships. Keep everything professional at all times, which including working relationships, any admin such as employment contracts and paperwork.

“The groom is the most important part of the team, it is their ears and eyes that notice and pick up any issues which can then be dealt with before they become a problem.  Good grooms are an invaluable part of any yard” concludes Jane.

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