A company which keeps its employees happy is often ensured of focused work engagements and more productive results. Happy employees are simply eager to report to work and willing to go the extra mile for the business. Studies however, reveal that many employers are not completely in sync on what makes their workforce happy.
This makes employee retention still a huge issue today. One huge root cause: employers are not living up its employees’ expectations. When thinking of cultivating a happy company culture to usher much higher employee retention, the following tips from experts come handy:
1. Incentivize good performance. Employees work for a living. Many of them have mouths to feed and a lifestyle to uphold. It would be prudent to offer promotions and bonuses to keep them on their happy toes.
2. If possible, allow flexible work arrangements. People easily get fed-up with monotonous 9 to 5 work schedule. Some workers are morning persons while others simply wake up groveling to early ringing of their alarm clocks. Giving them such flexibility will enhance creativity and provide more positive results in the long run.
3. Off hours must be kept as it is. One common cause of burn out is when employers blur the line between home and work. Just because employees have access to emails or social media or SMS messaging does not make them on-call all the time. Steer clear of constant connectivity. Instead shift to a more focused workplace to ensure job requirements are finished within work allotted time, if not ahead of it.
4. Always make room for a growth mindset. Employees strive not just to earn money but also to improve their status in life. Nobody wants to be a clerk forever. People work to their bones to realize some of their success goals. Try to satisfy their hunger by offering trainings, coaching sessions or skill building and other development programs. Let them take roots but make sure to give them wings to soar high along with the business.
5. Be a compassionate leader. Understand that like everyone else, your employees have both strengths and weaknesses. While focusing on their strong points is essential for their growth, it is also important to point out their weakness and find ways to make it work to their advantage.
6. Practice the sense of gratitude in the workplace. Gratitude, no matter how small, never goes unappreciated. Acknowledging simple victories is no different than recognizing huge triumphs. Give thanks to each and every effort.
7. Always ensure employees that they’re part of the business’ long term plan. It is one thing to earn incentives but definitely another to make them feel they are growing along with the company. Provide opportunities and always set new challenges to stimulate new roles.
In all these, it is important to focus on finding candidates with the right “cultural fit” to your goals. Some people, no matter how brilliant, may still not able to deliver what the business needs due to certain clashes. While education, experience, and expertise may sound the most promising characteristics to look for, a strong work ethic that mirrors that of the company plus the attitude to carry will ultimately count.
