Most adults spend the majority of their time in the workplace rather than anywhere else. Different to a couple of decades ago, many employees do not want to simply go to work, complete their tasks and return home, they instead want to reach the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, feel valued in their job position and become an integrate part of the company’s culture.
To find out more about how to retain a workforce, we take a look at the latest research with Impact International – a creative agency that encourages change management with its clients.
So, what satisfies our employees?
The Society for Human Resource Management carried out a survey on employee satisfaction in 2016. Within the top ten reasons for job satisfaction were:
- Respectful treatment of employees, this was ranked first
- Job security
- Opportunities to use skills and abilities at work
- Supervisor’s respect for your work
- Compensation and pay
- Activities and relaxation
The study also revealed that Millennials rated career development opportunities, career advancement opportunities, and job-specific training higher than older employees. Structure is important in a workplace and millennials respond to that positively. Because they are also responsive to technology, implementing progressive software for management purposes can help with supporting this. Managers can get more info over at websites like prosymmetry.com to see what they can do to adapt a workplace to new technology.
How can these be brought into your workplace?
Often, employee satisfaction is overlooked when the revenue and profits look good. However, productivity can increase with a happier workforce and it is worth implementing some of the following strategies to get the best out of your staff:
Treating the workforce with respect
Treating your employees with respect should be a priority for an employer as it was ranked as the main contributor to job satisfaction. One way to ensure that your employees are being treated with respect is to maintain an approachable attitude. As a boss, if employees feel that they can come to you with issues, it will be easy to find out if anyone is being disrespectful. Employers can introduce regular reviews with staff to demonstrate their concern for welfare and provide opportunities for problems to be raised.
Making employees feel secure
The transition from one job to another can be tough. Therefore, all employees hope to feel secure in their current job role – its means they can come to work feeling safe and happy. One way to implement this in the workplace is to keep staff informed of the financial situation of the business. Update members of the company with successes and profits to keep them in the loop. More often than not, people tend to feel safe in a familiar space when they are surrounded by people they can bond with. That said, facilitating organic conversations and strengthening interpersonal connections can be a good starting point. You could also consider organizing team-building activities or recreational events that allow employees to engage in fun experiences outside of their duties.
Similarly, if you run a healthcare facility, introducing Grey Scrubs (or something alike) might be a virtuous decision to take. The use of scrubs in healthcare workplaces can be a simple yet powerful way to foster staff bonding and teamwork. Additionally, it can create a stronger sense of community among employees therefore, reducing the hierarchy among themselves. Overall, by participating in shared experiences, employees can build stronger bonds and improve communication which can lead to refined morale and total job satisfaction.
Promoting Fun Activities
Organizing fun activities in the office can be an effective way to boost employee morale and create a positive work environment. One way to facilitate such activities is by investing in appropriate breakroom Furniture. A comfortable breakroom can serve as a space for employees to unwind, socialize, and engage in recreational activities during breaks. This could include installing game tables, such as foosball or ping-pong, providing board games or puzzles, or setting up a designated area for casual lounging. Additionally, employers can consider hosting regular team-building events or social gatherings, such as potluck lunches, outdoor picnics, or after-work happy hours. These activities not only promote camaraderie among coworkers but also offer opportunities for employees to relax and recharge, ultimately improving their overall job satisfaction and productivity. Furthermore, encouraging physical activity can be beneficial for both mental and physical well-being. Employers could consider offering discounted gym memberships or organizing company-wide fitness challenges, such as step-counting competitions or weekly yoga sessions. Providing access to recreational facilities, like an on-site gym or outdoor sports courts, can also incentivize employees to engage in physical activities during breaks or after work hours.
Working to their full potential
Some employees can lack motivation when they’re not working to their full potential. As the research showed, Millennials are happy to undertake job-specific training too, to develop their skills further. Bosses should aim to ensure that members of staff are in the correct role for their skillset. This can also be discussed in regular review sessions – perhaps a member of staff has more to bring to the company than you know of.
Supervisor’s consideration of work
Many workers can get demotivated when they spend a lot of time on work that doesn’t get recognised. The key here is the approach to staff that supervisors take. By providing relevant feedback to employees or taking time out to thank them for their time, this can make staff feel more valued. Approaching members of staff this way may also encourage them to work hard in the future.
Monetary motives
Compensation and wages will always have a place in employee satisfaction. However, this does not have to be in the form of money or pay rises. Compensation can come in the form of a reward system – perhaps the employee of the month may receive a prize or short trip somewhere. Offering trips and social events for employees can also encourage them to feel valued, as it is a treat that they would not have received if they did not work there.
As we can see, job satisfaction can be dependent on many factors including the attitudes that are embedded in the culture of the organisation. This can be improved without massive investments or having to compromise any business activity. Through valuing your staff and encouraging employee engagement, in addition to a happy workforce, you may also see your productivity levels soar.