Having proved that they can work productively from home, many workers are demanding to be able to continue to work remotely at least part of the week.
Amid the competitive war for talent and labor shortages, now is the time for employers to step up and ensure their culture is one that focuses on employees’ experience in the world of work.
Of course, that is much easier said than done. What precisely do employers need to ensure their culture puts employees first and stops them from quitting?
Ensuring inclusivity
First of all, employees want to work for purpose-driven organizations — they want to work for companies that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Now is the time for companies to be clear about walking the walk — not just talking the talk — on diversity and inclusion. Being an inclusive workplace is about more than ticking a box, it is about actually wanting to create a workplace environment where everyone can thrive — and this is ultimately good for business.
Giving employees a voice
While ensuring employees have a good experience at work, employers must go further and ensure their workers are engaged. Do your staff have a voice and feel empowered to express their opinions? Do you listen to their views? Are you prepared to change tack if they disagree? The answer to all these questions must be yes.
Employee engagement surveys are a good start, but they are not enough on their own. The surveys are passive, and to genuinely show employees you are listening to what they have to say, managers and leaders need to regularly check in personally with their workers and teams.
Appreciating staff work
The third and final way to develop an employee-first company culture is to properly appreciate your staff’s work. Yes, they get paid, but they want to feel like their work is genuinely important to the company.
The best way to start is simply by thanking them for working hard — whether that is after the completion of tasks or at the end of each day. Another option is to regularly reward the whole team for collective good work. This could be through sending everyone gifts or by giving everyone a day off.
Now is the time to act and upgrade your company culture if you want to survive, and thrive, in the Great Resignation. UNLEASH America is the place to discuss solutions to this and other contemporary business issues of our time.