Employee Behavior Isn’t the Problem — Your Systems Are

In this episode of EveryDay ABA, Paola, Brittanny, and Leslie discuss Employee Appreciation Day coming up on March 6. The conversation explores how unclear expectations, weak systems, inconsistent feedback, and poor leadership practices create environments where employees struggle to succeed, especially in human services and ABA organizations. Drawing from principles of organizational behavior management, the hosts challenge the common belief that “people don’t want to work anymore” and instead highlight how performance problems are usually the result of broken systems, not individual motivation. They unpack the complexities of workplace relationships, the importance of clear communication and accountability, and the harm caused by performative appreciation and empty thank-yous without meaningful support. The episode closes with practical leadership strategies and actionable guidance for managers, supervisors, BCBAs, HR professionals, and business owners who want to improve workplace culture, strengthen employee performance, reduce burnout and turnover, and design work environments that reinforce the behaviors they actually want to see.☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review! 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3📖 Get your CEU certificate here:    https://everydayaba.net/ceus-for-purchase-test/👟  Get a 10% Discount at Tiny Explorings Shoes using code PAOLA 🎁 Earn Rewards every time you shop by using Shopkick 🤑 Earn $50 cash back by using Rakuten   📊   Earn 125,000 bonus points by opening a new Sapphire Reserve® account or 75,000 bonus points for opening a new Sapphire Preferred® account using EveryDayABA's code at Chase 📢 To advertise on this podcast please e-mail: [email protected]  After listening to the episode, participants will be able to:Identify at least three systemic variables that contribute to employee performance problems in organizational settings.Differentiate between individual-level explanations of performance and system-level explanations using principles of organizational behavior management.Propose at least two OBM-informed strategies for improving employee performance and morale by redesigning systems related to training, feedback, and accountability.