How to Create a Workplace Your Employees Will Want to Stay At
By: Jenny Miletics
Retaining the best talent is hard. What’s worse: one in six of your employees are most likely over the age of 55 and have their eyes set on retirement in the near future. It is possible to have a well-rounded workplace that employees want to stay at. By concentrating your efforts on a few areas, you can boost morale, retain talent, incentivize production and ultimately keep your employees happy.
Give them something to work toward
New hires need to know you’re in it for the long haul. Why wouldn’t you be? After taking the time to interview, screen and train the right person, employers should make sure their new employee knows if they do well, you will recognize it. Offering incentives or meetings every few months to review how an employee is doing can tremendously help morale in the workplace. It’s also a good time to stack positives with improvements as well. Things like, “if you can increase your production levels by X percent, we can give you X” many employees work well with incentives, it will often help them reach the goal, knowing there’s something waiting for them on the other side (just make sure you can deliver on your goal).
This holds true for current employees too!
Create a culture where your employees come first
Everyone wants to work in a positive environment. Does your workplace promote nagging, complaining or a negative culture? Chances are your employees will get burned out on the negativity and quickly seek a more positive atmosphere.
Keep everyone in the loop. By communicating frequently with your team, employees will feel included – and will likely come to you if they have a problem. A weekly or monthly email to the office will help you relate important happenings in your world. You don’t have to express every detail about your week (good or bad), but promoting two-way communication with higher-level employees can lead to less conflict and an increase in trustworthiness. Don’t know what to say? Try commending your team on positive trends, or point out areas of improvement. Just make sure there’s balance (no employee wants to constantly hear negativity, as mentioned previously mentioned). Still don’t have anything to say? Go with “Free bagels in the break room today!” (just make sure this actually happens).
Promote professional development within the workplace
Does your company offer a mentorship program? Offering a mentor to new hires can fast-track their success. Other workplaces have been known to offer incentives for continuing education (some even reimburse expenses!), on-the-job training, or promoting within the company.
Don’t know where to start? Schedule an afternoon networking session and provide snacks! Those who participate will get to know each other better, further promoting the aforementioned “positive work culture.”
Why it all matters
Company benefit and incentives packages are becoming more competitive. As a business owner, you likely have a tight budget and not much room for paid perks. By listening to what other companies are offering and your employees, you can weigh your options and build the benefits over time. Incentives and perks show your employees you appreciate them and their hard work enough to take the time to give them something. Over time the positive company culture can translate to better quality hires (people want to work at your company) and keeping the talent you already have (employees won’t leave a place they feel valued at).