by Jake Betz

Created on: November 11, 2009

It's so easy to get in a workplace rut - the kind of rut where employees are happy and content with routine workdays and where employers are content with staff that is confident and proficient in their assigned duties. It's so easy to maintain the status quo. After all, some employees become stressed if their job descriptions change, no matter how slightly, and supervisors are hard-pressed to find the time to prepare employees to handle new responsibilities.

In this world where everybody in the workplace settles into their comfort zones and does all in their power to stay there. "cross-training" is practically a dirty word. Managers think they have more pressing priorities. Employees may resent learning anything new, especially if their salaries are not increased as a result of this added knowledge. Some people on the staff may even be serious turf-guarders and likely to feel threatened if someone else learns how to do their jobs.

If cross-training ruffles so many feathers, why bother at all? Simple. It's good for both the employer and the employee.

Suppose a valued worker who performs specialized and extremely vital tasks suddenly becomes ill, requiring a long absence from work. The company is placed in immediate jeopardy. The job must be done, but no one else is prepared to do it. It's possible that even the worker's immediate supervisor or the company's top managers are not trained in the job. The absence of a key staff member could put a cog in the company's operations. Managers could be forced to neglect important duties while they flounder to play "catch up." One way or another, the absent worker's job will be done, but almost certainly not well and possibly to the detriment of other essential duties. Policies of cross-training guarantees that staff members are instructed on how to fill in on a moment's notice. The staff members receive not only the practical training, but develop the self-confidence, to fill in.

Cross-training is beneficial to employees because it enables them to hone additional skills that increase their value to the organization. A company's goal should go beyond merely hiring staff members that can succeed in their jobs. A company should also want to develop employees' skills so they are prepared to meet new challenges and handle new responsibilities. Although workers may be hesitant at first about learning about others' job, the knowledge gained makes them more valuable to the organization. They are gratified that the organization has shown confidence in them and are most disposed to remaining there long-term.

Cross-training should be a must for every organization. No one is indispensable and no one is destined to stay in a job forever. Preparing others to handle duties in an emergency, or perhaps to even move up the ladder later on, is good business.

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