by Rosemary Redfern

Created on: September 01, 2010

The benefits of cross training employees has unexpected, as well as known, results. 

When a coworker understands what is involved in the activities of another employee, they can begin to appreciate the skills and knowledge that person has.  This can produce relief that this is not their work, and can foster respect for the skills needed for that job. 

Experience in other functions within a business can give each employee a better over view of what it takes to produce a successful organization and what the business is about.  It is easy to slide into a personal rut, not acknowledging the work of others nor appreciating their efforts. By knowing, in a practical way, what others do, a broader sense of what is needed is appreciated. This can begin to support a sense of belonging to a worthwhile enterprise.

The practicality of cross training allows other employees to fill in for an absent colleague.  This way time is not lost in vital projects when someone else fulfills the function of the absentee, because they have a basic understanding of where everything is physically and what is need from them. They don’t have to spend time looking for materials or asking basic questions about how to do the job. This also frees the manager to continue with their jobs. This supports the smooth running of the business and the customers don’t see anything lacking in the service they receive. 

A curious side effect of knowing what and how other people in the same organization do their work, can engender a sense of community.  This comes about by the understanding what the business is for in greater detail, of the variety of skills required by employees to run the business and an appreciation of the reason why a manager might ask for certain procedures. 

Managers, who ensure their staff are cross trained, have at their disposal a highly skilled workforce who can fulfill a variety of tasks other than the one they are employed to do. These are employees worth having because of these skills.  In some companies where the tasks are complex, workers can discuss, with more insight, future progress, and planning can be more finely tuned.  The jargon, which inevitably arises within every organization, is understood by all, and there are no hidden aspects to the work. 

Everyone knowing how and why everything works, means that there is an openness of communication which can only benefit the business. Openness and communication create a relaxed workforce who are competent and who can take pleasure in what they do. 

Learn more about this author, Rosemary Redfern.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.