“Your number one customers are your people. Look after employees first and then customers last.”
Ian Hutchinson
“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.”
Anne M. Mulcahy
A survey of 25,000 employees found that 69% of their job satisfaction is derived from a manager’s leadership skills. Manager-employee relations are a critical part of a work place atmosphere and promoting productivity and cohesiveness. The following tips address these issues:
Ways to improve employee retention by Robert Half
A successful employee retention strategy requires you to think about things from the team's point of view. No two employees are exactly alike, of course; each has unique desires and goals. But all of them want to feel appreciated by their employer and treated fairly. They want to be challenged and excited by their work. And they want to be paid at or above market rates with good benefits.
Here are 14 areas where strategic initiatives can boost employee retention:
1. Onboarding and orientation. Every new hire should be set up for success from the very start. Your onboarding process should teach new staff members not only about the job but also the company culture and how they can contribute and thrive.
2. Mentorship programs. Pairing a new employee with a mentor is a great component to add to your continuing onboarding process.
3. Employee compensation. It's absolutely essential in this competitive labor market for companies to offer attractive compensation packages.
4. Perks. Whether it’s paid time off for volunteering, occasional catered lunches or free snacks and coffee every day, perks can make your workplace stand out and boost employee morale.
5. Wellness offerings. Keeping employees fit, mentally, physically and financially, is just good business. Of employers polled for a Robert Half survey, 74% said they have mental wellness offerings of some sort, such as stress management programs.
6. Communication and feedback. Your direct reports should feel they can come to you with ideas, questions and concerns, and they expect you to be honest and open with them.
7. Annual performance reviews. Even if you’ve met with employees throughout the year to check on their job satisfaction, never skip a regular big-picture conversation.
8. Training and development. Make it a priority to invest in your workers' professional development and seek opportunities for them to grow.
9. Recognition and rewards systems. Every person wants to feel appreciated for the work they do. Make it a habit to thank your direct reports when they go the extra mile.
10. Work-life balance. Be careful to avoid having a culture that encourages and rewards around-the-clock availability.
11. Flexible working arrangements. Some organizations allow staff to choose a compressed workweek (e.g., four 10-hour days) or flextime or the ability to telecommute — and avoid sitting in traffic.
12. Dealing with change. Every workplace has to deal with change, and staff will look to leadership for reassurance. Make big announcements face to face, either individually or in a group meeting, and make sure you allow time for questions.
13. Fostering teamwork. Foster a culture of collaboration by accommodating individuals' working styles and giving them the latitude to make smart decisions.
14. Acknowledge milestones large and small. Whether the team just finished a huge project under budget or an employee celebrated a 10-year work anniversary, seize the chance to celebrate together with a shared meal or group excursion.
Suggested Reading
The Essential Guide to Employee Engagement: Better Business Performance Through Staff Satisfaction by Sarah Cook
Employee Satisfaction Survey: Human Resources by Nupur Mukhopadhyay
Point of Reflection
“Appreciate everything your associates do for the business. Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.”
Sam Walton