How you treat your employees or contracted workers will determine whether or not they stay with your company. If you treat people with respect, dignity and gratitude they are far more likely to perform at a high level. However, if employees feel mistreated and undervalued, they are likely to move on swiftly to work somewhere that feels right.
Here are six elements which you can implement into your organisation to improve the experience of your most valuable assets, your staff.
Management Style
What is the management style at your company? Are managers ‘hands on’ or ‘hands off?’ Is there a clear sense of leaders being privileged at the top while frontline workers are suffering at the bottom? To deliver a great employee experience (EX), the style of management is crucial and should have the following elements:
- Open, purposeful and regular communication with team members in meetings. Managers should also have routine one to one chats with individuals every couple of weeks.
- A friendly approach communicated by smiling, body language and praising team members regularly for great work.
- Strong leadership which should help employees reach their performance and quality goals at work. This can be demonstrated through honest conversations, coaching and support.
Company Vision
Every company needs a strong vision as it provides direction and a common goal for employees. Ensure that managers are aware of the vision and communicate it weekly – yes weekly as it keeps employees engaged with the bigger picture.
In the modern world of work, employees are a lot more conscious of an organisations effort in terms of giving back. A company’s values should encompass charitable activities and a focus on becoming more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Flexible Working
The global pandemic has forced companies to revamp their working models. Although we are no longer in the thick of COVID 19, many people still want to work from home. To improve the EX, ensure your business has a flexible working offer. This may be a hybrid model or an option to join a remote team.
Avoid putting lots of hurdles in front of staff when it comes to working from home. Offer practical support and help them by making the process of working from home streamlined and seamless. Embrace the change as many employees are far more productive without the noise and distraction of the office.
Feedback
Staff should have regular opportunities to have their voice heard. This can be done by carrying out quarterly surveys, introducing a suggestion box and ensuring managers respond to feedback when its given.
Once the opinions of staff have been gathered, the executive team should create action plans to address common themes. This should be communicated to all staff and monitored to ensure change is happening when appropriate.
Progression Opportunities
Your organisation should have clear routes to progression mapped out which do not discriminate and can be achieved by anyone with the right skills. For example, the best people should be able to achieve management status regardless of their race. Work on employing a diverse range of leaders to encourage individuals from all walks of life to progress.
Excellent Rewards
All organisations should have a reward scheme set up as this can drastically improve the EX. Here are some examples of rewards that you can offer which can have a positive impact on your employee’s wellbeing, finances and physical health:
- Free gym memberships
- End of year bonuses
- Free lunch once a month
- Mental wellness courses
- Paid time off
- Financial support for childcare
- All staff having their birthday off
- Christmas gifts for staff
To attract and retain the best talent it is more important than ever before to provide an outstanding EX that will go over and above to serve your employees. What could you implement today?