As the modern workplace continues to change, companies still strive for quality and productivity, as they always have. Through the years, companies have wrestled with employee engagement, retaining the best employees, and motivating employees, in general. The business world has become more complex over the years, demanding that employees constantly adapt and learn new skills. These factors make it even more important that companies pay attention to, and support, the wellbeing of their staff. Here are seven tips to keep in mind when creating a workplace that will support employee wellbeing.
- Deliver Honest and Timely Feedback
Constructive feedback is integral to creating a supportive workplace. Aside from helping employees become more effective, genuine feedback demonstrates to employees that their work is valuable and that the company is invested in them. When employees understand that they are important to company goals, it gives them purpose and satisfaction. Discussions on performance have become increasingly important to the younger generation of workers, who expect feedback more than once a year. Feedback should occur throughout the year and can be both formal and informal. If done properly, feedback can be a fulfilling aspect of an employee’s job and support their wellbeing.
- Employees are Humans
It sounds obvious, but through the course of time, employees have often been considered just a company resource. Easily replaced, and viewed as just one part of a wheel of production, employees’ wellbeing was far from paramount. However, this type of attitude towards employees will seldom get long-term results. A supportive work environment must take full account of the fact that employees are human beings, with the desire for more than just a paycheck and yearly performance review. Employees need a true work/life balance, where it’s clear the employer considers the demands on employees outside of work. The crux of the employer and worker relationship is respect, which will increase employees’ trust level. If employees truly believe their employers are watching out for workers’ interests, it will greatly strengthen the sense of a supportive work environment. Even companies in the recruitment field, such as Agri Labour, benefit by concentrating on this aspect of business.
- Empower Employees
If a company is making the right hiring decisions up front, it they should have a capable staff, with the ability to accomplish tasks. To augment the effectiveness of a workforce, employees should be given a level of autonomy. This autonomy will demonstrate to employees that they are trusted to do their jobs. In turn, a sense of trust helps lay the foundation for an overall, supportive workplace and increases wellbeing. A further benefit of increasing autonomy is that an empowered employee is more likely to look for ways to improve their work or find better ways to accomplish tasks. On the other hand, micromanaging employees conveys a lack of trust. It’s best to make the right hiring decisions at the outset, and then five those employees to autonomy to perform their best.
- Support New Ideas and Experimentation
Employees should be given the tools necessary to succeed, and this includes a level of autonomy. With autonomy, however, comes the employees’ ability to make decisions beyond what is stated in their job descriptions. The main component of creating a supportive workplace is the removal of fear of making a mistake. Again, if a company makes good hiring decisions, then employees will be capable of doing their jobs. Mistakes on the job will happen time to time. Furthermore, granting employees autonomy means they may experiment with new techniques and test new ideas, which can also lead to the occasional mistake. Employees need to be able to learn from mistakes, and not feel that there will be heavy repercussions if an honest mistake is made.
- Recognize Achievement
Employees are motivated by more than just getting paid and even their next potential bonus money. These incentives are helpful, and certainly can work, but they put the emphasis on motivation that is outside of the actual job. In the modern workplace environment, addressing such aspects of employee engagement is crucial, and this is where the question what is LMS or Learning Management System Employees understand that they are part of the larger picture, and a clearly defined company goal can help employees see exactly how they fit in. An important part of creating a sense of wellbeing is genuinely recognizing employees’ accomplishments for the work they’ve done. When a goal is met, make note of it by showing appreciation and praise. Employees that are recognized and praised for achievements are more likely to continue their strong efforts. The inclusion of praise and recognition in the workplace is a growing movement in human resources, and there are companies that offer consulting on these practices.
- Be Like a Family
Employees spend a good portion of their week at work. With three weeks for vacation, the average employee is probably spending at least 230 days a year at the workplace. Employees spend so much time together and get to know each other so well, that work relationships can be similar to family relationships. In the least, co-workers will be emotionally connected through their jobs, and relationships will no doubt grow. It’s important to develop and define positive company culture and exhibit this culture from the top, down. When making hiring decisions, keep cultural fit and a potential hire’s prospects for long-term employment, in mind.
- Support Overall Wellness
Working every day can be a stressful endeavor. Combined with the demands of life outside of the workplace, the weight of obligations can truly weigh on employees. It’s important for companies to realize these factors, and try to create ways to alleviate employee stress. Whether through healthy eating options, monitoring physical demands, or mindfulness and emotional support programs, bringing wellness to the forefront of employee engagement is a valuable goal. They can initiate an Employee Wellness Program for promoting overall wellness of employees.
Creating a supportive work environment that promotes employee wellbeing is more important than ever. Companies need to address employee engagement head on, as the cost of employee disengagement is high. It’s well worth the effort to develop a plan to build a positive work environment and motivate employees and increase the long-term retention of staff.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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