Finding great people to join your team, and stay with you is key to making your business a success…..but what do employees really want from their employer?
It’s no longer just about salary and a set of off the shelf benefits. People want to be part of something positive, where they feel valued and that they are doing work that matters.
Positive company culture – as the famous saying goes “culture eats strategy for breakfast”. It’s widely acknowledged that a positive culture makes people feel welcomed, included, and valued and creates an environment where people not only want to be, but where they do their best work.
Career development and growth. People want to know that their employer supports their personal and professional growth. By promoting ways that your employees can develop their skills and enhance their career, you will see levels of engagement and loyalty increase but best of all you’ll have a team of highly skilled and hard-working employees.
Recognition and appreciation. Everyone wants to feel valued and recognised for the contribution they make, and work is no different. Making time to provide quality feedback and saying thank you for a job well done goes a long way.
Work life balance. Creating a place to work where your teams feel they can effectively balance their home and work lives means people are more likely to be at their best more often. Offering anything from the ability to work at different locations to flexible hours or even just letting your team member off an hour early to get to their child’s football game shows you understand the reality of life and what’s important – and you’ll get more from them in return too.
Open communication. Employees want to feel that they have a voice in the Company and that voice is listened to. Making time for regular updates, check ins and involving employees in decisions at an early stage where possible all helps people feel involved and engaged in the organisation. Where good communication works well, levels of trust and overall satisfaction tend to be higher between employees and the organisation.
A strong sense of purpose. Employees need clear direction to feel engaged in achieving your company’s goals. Even better if you can talk to them about the reason the company exists and what it is there to do, both for its customers and wider society – this will help people understand that their work has meaning, and they are really making a difference.
Not every business can pay the highest rates or offer the best financial perks, but every business does have the ability to meet the real needs of its employees – the ones that will make them stay and do their best work for you and the organisation. FAB HR specialises in creating simple and practical ways for you to effectively engage with your teams and help them be at their best. For more information and to discuss how we can help contact us for an initial conversation.