What does it mean to put your employees first?
For many companies, employee-focused strategies are expensive perks. While there is no denying that investing in your employees plays a crucial role in your team’s wellbeing and happiness, there is more to employees’ strategy than meets the eye. Here are essential ideas to help you make your employees’ wellbeing a priority of the workplace strategy and design.
Bring nature into the office
According to research, natural light is by far one of the most desirables perks. Therefore, employees will prefer an office that contributes to natural light exposure through windows, open spaces, and smart light solutions.
Potted plants are also a crucial addition to the office decor. Indeed, the presence of greenery can serve a double purpose. Firstly, plants release oxygen, which helps refresh the indoor air and support productivity. Secondly, plants also have a soothing effect on the brain, helping workers feel more relaxed.
Create training programs
Employees seek roles that can help them grow and acquire new skills. Therefore, many will consider leaving a company that lacks to provide professional paths for growth. It can be tricky to create a training strategy that fits the budget and mission of the business. If you have a large team, it can be a good idea to invite professional trainers and coaches to your site and build a dedicated space for learning, including classroom stools and a projector. Smaller teams may prefer online training options or sending their employees on training days instead.
Normalize breaks
There is no such thing as working 8 or 10 hours a day straight. Everybody needs breaks during the day. According to experts, your employees should take a break every two hours to get away from the screen. More often than not, workers remain at their desks all day. Therefore, it can be helpful to introduce a break culture so that employees feel safe when they step away from their desks. You can turn the communal area into a friendly break room with a board game corner or a simple selection of delicious snacks and beverages. Breaks are necessary for many reasons:
- They encourage employees to recharge their batteries
- They contribute to better teambuilding
- They reduce stress levels
- They develop productivity and creativity
Mistakes are okay
Mistakes happen. A software bug could affect your clients. A mishap could delay invoice payments. An employee could have accidentally given the wrong information. Ultimately, people are prone to make mistakes when they are tired, rushed, stressed, or simply trying to deal with a new task. However, mistakes are also part of the normal learning process. Therefore, it’s essential for businesses to acknowledge mistakes as a lesson rather than an opportunity to blame someone. When an innocent error is met with employment termination, your employees worry that the company lacks understanding, compassion, and basic humanity.
Employees choose to stay with a company for a variety of reasons. It makes no doubt that wages do play a significant role. However, a company that pays well but fails to support its employees is unlikely to support in the long term. Your employees are your most important asset. Put them first to grow.
