The hiring process can be a lengthy one. Finding the right personnel, vetting them, interviews and then training amounts to a lot of time, effort and money coming out of the business’s pocket. Of course, you will want them to stick around for a while! The pandemic led to a new breed of employee, one that realized the control they have over their own work-life balance, and they strived to attain that. All of the world, companies are learning that to keep employees, they also must incentivize and motivate them.
Work Setting is Everything
When your employees go home, they likely don’t go home to a house that is cold, barren, dingy or boring. They’ve filled their home with their personality which rejuvenates and empowers them. The same should be true with the work atmosphere that you provide. Yes, the space must be functional, but it should also be aesthetically pleasing (plants and water features help with this), well lit with a variety of lights (not just dingy fluorescent), and updated office equipment that keeps ergonomics in mind.
A company should boast about its awards and accomplishments, and the walls will likely be the perfect place to display these. In addition, consider hiring a local artist who will spruce up the walls in a colorful and pleasing way to help create a beautiful and elegant work setting.
Offer Rewards
When employees are appreciated at their place of employment, they tend to stick around. If they are productive and it goes unnoticed, they will have a sense that they should look elsewhere. There are some clever and inviting ways to offer employee rewards as bonuses and “just because.”
- Start an incentive program where points are accrued and various rewards are applied when set points are reached. They can be used for a paid day off, VIP parking for a week, dinner out with the box, free team lunch, etc.
- Offering Gift Cards to team members who show exceptional effort is an excellent way to say “thank you” and “you’re doing a great job.” Employees love being able to spend money on what they choose, and gift cards are safe and convenient.
- Every time a goal is reached, teams may choose from a variety of “rewards” including tickets to sporting events or upcoming festivals, an extreme adventure day or spa day.
Be a Supportive Manager
One of the most common reasons employees quit to work elsewhere is because of poor management styles. Honesty, respect and being supportive are all key elements to working efficiently and cooperatively with employees. Strive for clear communication and look for ways to inspire your employees to work to their fullest potential. As the manager, you may see talents and skills in them that they never knew they had, and uncovering those traits will go a long way in helping them feel loyal to you and your company.
Share Positive Feedback with Employees
Most employees on most days want to do their very best in helping out the client or customer. They want to provide a solution to their problem, whether it’s logistical or service related. There may be a gap, however, in the work line process that doesn’t let employees see the positive influence they are having on customers.
As the manager, be sure to have a process in place to share positive feedback from clients with the employees. This might be as simple as stating to them face to face, what the client voiced to you. It might also look like a weekly newsletter, where you include customer feedback or perhaps it is done on your social media page. Either way, when employees see first-hand that they are making a difference with the great job they are doing, they will be more likely to stay.
Be Flexible
Most working people are a part of the “sandwich generation.” That is, they are taking care of elderly parents and their own children at the same time. This can create a lot of scheduling havoc with getting their kids to school and taking their parents to doctor’s appointments. Offering flexible schedule to your employees will help create the feeling that you care about them and are willing to work with them, just as they are with you.
- Provide laptops for employees to work from home, check emails, respond to clients outside of their normal work hours
- When an employee is faced with scheduling conflicts due to family, offer them flex time with another employee who might be in the same position
Now more than ever before, companies want to make their employees happy. They are striving to ensure that they will be loyal so productivity can grow. Making the effort to treat employees more personably and with their home and work life balance in mind will cultivate dependable and content employees.
