Employees make your company’s world go round. They are the ones that have the power to take your business and propel the vision further than you could on your own. Knowing this, it is important to treat them well. No one wants to work in an environment where they don’t feel appreciated. Don’t just treat your employees like nameless worker bees. Remember that your employees are people. Before they come to work, they have lives, families, emotions and a whole host of issues they carry. Those things don’t disappear as soon as they walk through the office doors. While it is very important to maintain a level of professionalism in the workplace, it’s also wise to get to know more about your employees in a way that lets them know that as their boss, you care.
Socialize
Hold icebreakers during lunchtime or get-togethers after hours. When you create an environment that allows your employees to loosen up, you’ll have a better time connecting with them on a personal level and fostering the relationship. While this is a good start, the connections don’t just end with parties and icebreakers around the water cooler.
Empathize
There has to be a follow-up. For example, if an employee shares that they just purchased a new home, send a congratulatory card with a gift from their registry. When an employee is getting married or having a baby, make sure to celebrate this accomplishment with them. Even if there’s no invitation, still send a gift or congratulatory note. If an employee has lost a close loved one, share in their grief by offering condolences or attending the funeral if possible. As a boss, you don’t have to take on the role of a counselor, but going the extra mile will show your employees that you care and will help in maintaining employee retention.
Appreciate
Appreciate the good work your employees do. Positive reinforcement really goes a long way. While your employees should always remain motivated to do a good job, no matter what, it helps when they know there’s a bigger payoff. Whether it’s a bonus, promotion or company recognition in a Friday email blast, let your employees know you appreciate the good work they do. Find a way to create a company culture that promotes the encouragement of one another. When one wins, everyone in the company wins. This eliminates the unhealthy environment of competition and jealousy.
Invest
Invest in the career development of your employees. When an employee is working in a field they enjoy, there’s nothing better than learning and growing. One of your jobs as an employer involves making sure your team performs at their highest peak on a consistent basis. One of the best ways to make sure that happens is through career development resources such as conferences, trainings, retreats and other educational opportunities. When an employee sees your investment in their development, they’ll usually commit to the process even more.
Communicate
Keep your employees in the loop. One of the best ways to do this is with regular check-ins. Maintain an open-door policy with your employees. If they need to talk about anything, they should know they can come to you and have a chance to sit down and express their concerns. There are times when you’ll have to deal with employees who are doing a job that’s less than satisfactory. Instead of waiting it out and eventually firing them, it’s important to have a conversation and bring it to their attention. Give the employee an opportunity to fix a genuine mistake and improve. One of the most soul-crushing experiences for any employee is to think they’re doing a great job and end up getting the pink slip. When it comes to firing or demoting any employee, make sure they are well aware of what’s going on and how they can improve. Remember that employees are people first and people make mistakes.
Need more ideas to improve your employee retention? Please don’t hesitate to contact us at DeSantis Trusted Advisors.
