Your employees are a vital part of your business, but they aren’t machines. One of the most important things you can do as an employer is to realize that everyone you hire is a person as well. They have needs, wants, and issues that are unique to them.
It’s important to make sure these needs are met so that your employees feel appreciated and are more likely to engage in the workplace. Circles.com goes further to explain how you can improve employee engagement, but one of the best ways to do so is to keep morale up.
Be Flexible
One of the roles of a manager is to figure out a schedule for your employees. As well as thinking about what’s best for the company, consider what your employees want and need as well. Some people might have school, other jobs, or family responsibilities to take care of.
Be willing to negotiate with your employees about when they work. Some people might be willing to take on hours that others don’t like, and vice versa. Try to be flexible if people need certain time off.
While this is more work in the short term, it means that your employees don’t feel pressured to find a job that does suit their needs. You can hold onto skilled employees.
Another thing to consider is sick leave, emergency personal days, and remote working. If remote working is possible, it might be better to encourage sick employees to stay home and prevent illnesses from spreading.
Be Safe and Secure
Another thing to consider is safety in the workplace. Nobody likes to feel as though they’re likely to get hurt at work, so do what you can to improve this.
For example, do you have a first aider on the site at all times? Do you have health and safety regulations? What happens if there’s a disaster? People should feel as though you’re prepared for any accidents or potential hazards.
Another thing to consider is security. For example, if you have a parking lot, is it well lit? Do people feel safe walking to their cars? Do you have cameras around the workplace? This will deter any potential criminals and help your employees feel more secure.
Be Fair Financially
The fact is that people work for money. They need money to live, so they need to work for that money. Even if they love their job, this is a fact.
This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but it is worth considering when you come up with your pay rates for your employees. When hiring, you need to find a pay that is fair. Otherwise, you won’t find anyone willing to work for less than they can get.
You should also think about pay rises. Depending on what your company can afford, it might be beneficial to give regular pay rises or to at least review how much you pay your employees. This will help them with the rising cost of living and reduce their chances of leaving.
