Unless someone feels valued at work, they will rarely go above and beyond or feel long-term loyalty to their company. They may quiet quit or worse, disengage entirely. Not a goal you’re striving for as you build your business.
On a positive note, employees who regularly do feel valued will likely display higher job satisfaction, engagement and degrees of happiness with their work and your company culture. This all contributes to greater productivity and better performance.
- An American Psychological Association study supports this, as it shows that feeling valued at work is also linked to better overall physical and mental health.
Here are five ways you can make your employees feel valued day in and day out:
- Reward and recognize.
Establish an employee recognition program to recognize team members who reach milestones or go the extra mile to achieve desired results. Tailor the rewards you offer to each individual and their specific accomplishment. Rewards don’t have to be expensive, just meaningful. Options include verbal recognition in a team meeting, a company-wide email, or gift cards to favorite restaurants and other venues.
- Build a culture of communication.
Employees want – and need – to know both what they are doing well and where they could improve. While praise from a manager can be beneficial and meaningful, it should be balanced with improvement-oriented communication. Likewise, if people only receive negative or critical feedback, the natural reaction is to simply give up. Embed active listening into your communication strategy.
- Beat the competition on benefits.
Like your recognition approach, benefit packages should be tailored as much as possible to individual employees and their wants and needs. Make this a priority, rather than risk losing top talent to your competition. The most satisfied employees are those whose salary is augmented by benefits that make both their personal and professional lives more enriching.
- Offer learning and growth opportunities.
It benefits both your company and your employees to provide ongoing growth and development opportunities. This includes helping people sharpen both their hard, aka job-related, and soft skills. In the latter category, think communications, problem-solving, decision-making, collaboration, and conflict resolution. Help people grow under your roof, so they don’t feel they must go elsewhere to achieve this goal.
- Commit to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Knowing their company gives more than just lip service to DEI is critical to ensuring employees feel good about their employer and their jobs. DEI in the workplace goes beyond training modules and new policies. Equitable employers build diverse and inclusive workplaces where every employee feels safe and at home, and can share unique perspectives, reach their full potential without barriers, and respect one another’s individual needs.
Helping you build and retain your winning, engaged workforce is what we do best at PrideStaff Northern Kentucky. For more ideas on how to ensure your employees feel valued and appreciated, contact us today.
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