OCEANSIDE, Calif., June 10, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Here are five
ways companies can help their employees and attract potential
recruits in today's marketplace.
This past year has seen unprecedented unemployment and
career-altering experiences in the workforce. As both companies and
individuals begin to bounce back, there is still a sense of
uncertainty that can compromise the employer/employee
relationship.
How can employers attract and retain key talent in the current
climate? According to Kristy Willis,
Chief Sales Officer of PeopleReady, It has to do first and foremost
with relationships built on transparency and communication.
"We've all been through a lot this past year. The work
experience has changed considerably for many (possibly, for the
better)."
Creating a workplace culture where employees feel safe,
appreciated, and engaged is not only possible but essential as we
move forward and alter the way we think about the work/life
balance.
"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and
again and bring their friend." — Walt
Disney
1 - Provide a safe work environment.
Employees want to know their employers genuinely care about
keeping them safe and their overall wellbeing.
Whether they are returning to the office or are new hires, make
them feel confident that health and safety precautions have been
put in place (i.e., extra sanitation measures, health webinars,
revised sick time policies). The office landscape will undoubtedly
need a makeover to accommodate new health regulations and for an
added sense of security.
Companies can take action to post new health/sanitation
requirements that are now standard policies. Sick time should be
reviewed as well, encouraging employees now more than ever to work
from home if they're under the weather. Further, consider hybrid
models to have fewer employees in the office at once, minimizing
health concerns.
2 - Show employees they are appreciated.
It is human nature for people to want to feel appreciated. The
workplace is no exception. This is not just during uncertain times
but as part of a company's culture. For example, establishing
things such as "no meeting Mondays" or an extra day off for
birthdays, work anniversaries, or as a mental health day adds to
employee satisfaction.
In addition to incentives, give your staff the tools they need
to work productively, either in the office or at home. Staying
current on technology and necessary equipment needs goes far in
allowing for an efficient work environment and making employees
feel they can reach their goals. That could mean implementing an
easy CRM (customer relationship management) for sales staff,
offering opportunities for continuous learning and professional
development (i.e. LinkedIn Learning), and reviewing equipment needs
on a regular basis.
According to a 2019 Harris Poll, only 32% of employees are
satisfied with the opportunities for career advancement, and just
37% are satisfied with the training and learning opportunities at
their current company. If offered, 73% of employees whose companies
do not currently offer education opportunities or workshops outside
of work hours say they would be likely to participate if they were
available.
3 - Engage employees in decision-making.
People want to be included in decisions, whether that be serving
on advisory committees, inclusion exercises through virtual
whiteboard sessions, or on-the-ground one-to-one time.
Having accessibility to leadership is also important. Employees
can thrive when they are a part of a company where they can
innovate and drive change. Having this quality is crucial to both
attracting talent and keeping them.
Employees need to be listened to and have multiple ways for
teams to provide feedback. You have to value the input truly and
make it actionable. For salespeople, in particular, engagement
virtually has shown to be critical for them to feel engaged,
empowered, and motivated to make the best impression with
customers.
It is no surprise that happy employees typically stay with a
company longer. They also can help in attracting top talent by
showing the best potential hires that they also could be happy at
your business. This will motivate staff and you will have a great
resource pool for adding new talent.
4 - Cultivate team spirit.
Potential employees are attracted to good company culture. Aside
from pay and benefits, this has been found to be the top quality
people look for in a company, especially with the millennial and
Gen Z crowd.
Keep camaraderie going amongst various teams even if it's small,
celebratory things that make a difference (i.e. birthday
celebrations, employee appreciation, game days).
Team building continues to be important as a bonding exercise
and can take the form of in-person or virtual activities. Get
creative, competitive, and enjoy getting to know each other in a
relaxed setting. You'll be surprised what you can learn about
others that can help in the way you work together.
For potential recruits, companies can now connect with
candidates in ways that weren't previously possible with
traditional recruiting methods. Build and promote your organization
via social channels to encourage future applicants, showing them
that your group is a fun place where they would want to work and
why they would enjoy doing so. Post company and industry news that
would differentiate your company's best characteristics to draw
talent.
5 - Allow for flexibility and grace.
We are all learning in a new world. We don't know what everyone
is going through. Allowing flexibility in work and schedule or
amnesty for mistakes goes a long way.
Flexibility is one of the top qualities job seekers are looking
for in a company these days. Focus on ensuring flexibility as a way
to attract top talent. Remember that the work/life balance is
important for keeping employees happy, engaged, and committed to
your organization. Retention levels will be high and stress levels
manageable if there is a solid commitment to building a culture
with professional and personal symmetry. This is crucial for
working parents.
Set clear and well-defined goals for accountability. Have
management establish consistent communication both with teams and
one-on-one. Implement realistic measurements and touchpoints that
are reviewed regularly so everyone is on the same page.
Benefits and convenience may be more important than compensation
in many cases. Such things as medical benefits, commute time
considerations, job location, extra perks, half-day Fridays, onsite
fitness centers, and award trips are also important to job
seekers.
The Bottom Line
We are all coming out of a stressful year and adapting to
changes and challenges. Let's do so with a new outlook that puts
the focus on valuing and retaining employees while creating a
workforce culture that we can all be proud of.
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." —Stephen
Hawking
By Kristy Willis, Chief Sales
Officer of PeopleReady. She is a thought leader and entrepreneurial
coach with more than 26 years in colleague development and client
collaboration. To learn more, visit
https://www.peopleready.com/.
Media Contact
Susana Franco, ChicExecs,
951-500-9516, susana@teamchicexecs.com
SOURCE PeopleReady