Of all the internal metrics that a company can use to measure its health, there are few as influential as employee retention. A good employee retention rate can be a game-changer for businesses, allowing them to save costs, boost productivity, increase customer satisfaction, and all-around enhance the overall robustness of the organization. After all, it’s much easier to achieve greatness when you have a great team in place on a long-term basis.
There’s a lot that goes into keeping employees on board, including paying well, offering opportunities for growth, and ensuring they feel cared for. In this post, we’re going to focus on the final of those, outlining strategies for how management can ensure employees know that the company cares about their experience.
Create a Relaxation Zone
Some businesses expect employees to work, work, work when they’re at the office. Caring companies recognize that providing employees with a space in which they can unwind is key to allowing them to be at their best and most productive. Look at carving out a space at the workplace, ideally in a standalone room away from the desks, where staff members can sit back and let their minds disconnect for a while. It’ll show them that you’re not one of those businesses that only care about the value they can extract from their workers.
Prioritize Their Safety
A business could do everything to suggest that they care about their employees, but if they’re treating employee safety as an afterthought — or simply not thinking of it at all — then eventually the workers will realize. Caring companies go above and beyond to ensure that their worksite’s safety credentials are impeccable, significantly reducing the chances that an employee will experience an issue. Working with a company that provides fire protection and security systems will give employees peace of mind that they’re safe when they’re at work, and will also boost the overall security of the business as a whole. It’s also recommended to periodically perform a safety audit to assess any potential risks, as well as invest in employee safety training.
Comfortable Working
Caring companies look after their employees’ overall experience while at work. For instance, they’ll invest in comfortable, ergonomic furniture that reduces the risk of an employee experiencing physical discomfort while at work. If possible, look at giving each employee a say in the type of office furniture they use — some workers will prefer a sit/stand desk, while others will prefer an office chair that provides lumbar support.
Invest in the Office
Finally, remember that the physical space in which employees work can have a huge impact on their experience. Studies have shown that workers are happier when they work in light, bright, open spaces. Working to put together an office that boosts worker happiness (and, as is often the case, productivity) can make a huge difference to workplace morale. In fact, natural light is so important that some 78% of employees say it’s the number one thing they want from an office.