Tip of the Week: How to Achieve Optimal Working Conditions

Humans are self-serving, especially when it comes to the workplace, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In this day and age, people want more out of their workplace than just a decent salary and flexible company policies. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive to get everyone to enjoy their workday.

According to an infographic from Adecco, one of the world’s most prominent staffing agencies, there are a number of factors that can make or break a workplace for prospective or current employees. These include:

• Flexibility.
• Trustworthiness.
• Communication.
• Availability of development opportunities.
• Feedback availability.
• Recognition of success.
• A sense of purpose.

Stay Flexible and Offer Your Employees Options
If you give your employees a couple of basic options during their work day, you might find that they are a lot happier. Thanks to modern technology, many companies have forsaken the traditional work hours in favor of more flexible schedules. The concept of working remotely has also been shown to improve employee workplace satisfaction.

Improve Interoffice Communications
A significant portion of American employees are unsatisfied with the amount of communication that they receive from their superiors, which can lead to a disconnection that a modern business can’t afford. Remind your employees that they are part of a team.

You can also try an open-door policy, which is when you make yourself available to your employees whenever they need assistance. Or, you can set particular office hours where it’s okay for them to come to you with any potential concerns.

Give Credit Where It’s Due
Employees want to be recognized, both in and out of the office. You can give a confidence boost they need by giving them credit when it’s deserved. Some of the most common forms of recognition are:

• Certificates and awards.
• Cold hard cash.
• Gift certificates for local businesses.
• Food. Everyone loves food!
• Company merchandise.

Upward Movement is the Best Movement
According to Adecco, only 39 percent of the workforce feels there is enough upward movement potential in the workplace. This should go without saying, but studies have proven that promoting within your company instead of hiring externally mitigates turnover rates. Concepts such as on-the-job training, mentorship programs, and offering networking opportunities are all ways you can improve upon the opportunities your company offers its employees.

Your Employees Want to Trust You
Some of the most important traits in a businessperson are honesty, trust, and fairness. If you have a good relationship with your employees, they will have a good relationship with you. Take some time to get to know them. This goes back to being a good communicator. If you treat them like a human being, they’ll enjoy your company and your efforts at communication.

Feedback is Critical
You can ask any of your employees - they want to hear feedback, whether it’s good or bad. This helps them better formulate how they should approach their employment with you, and it better helps you approach them as well. Nobody likes to be the bearer of bad news, but if it means satisfying your employees, it’s a small price to pay for an increase in productivity. Address problems when they become an issue, then let them sink into the past. Concentrate on where you want to be, not where you were.

Provide Your Team with a Sense of Purpose
This one speaks for itself. If your team doesn’t understand the significance of their work, they won’t be enthusiastic about it. If they aren’t enthusiastic about it, they won’t work hard. If they don’t work hard, well… you can figure out the rest.

By taking these simple steps toward creating a company culture, you’ll make significant changes to your corporate policy that will benefit your business in the long run. What are some of your favorite ways to improve employee morale? Let us know in the comments.