The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we work and forced many of us to reflect on our current lifestyles. Many realized the jobs they were working weren’t fulfilling or flexible. Countless people began quitting their jobs which became known as “The Great Resignation.” UKG conducted a survey which showed that nearly half of employees worldwide would never recommend their company or profession to their children or to people they care about.
As a business owner, you may wonder if your workers feel this way about your business. Sometimes, you may never know the truth, making it challenging to eliminate the feeling your employees are experiencing. However, if you conduct performance reviews or simply enforce one-on-one meetings with your leaders and their team, it can create a more welcoming environment for your employees to open up in. Unfortunately, that might not be all you need to combat these feelings.
Continue reading to learn how you can ensure your employees enjoy working for your company and recommend you to their network.
Purposeful Work = Job Satisfaction
The main question employees should be asking themselves is what’s more important, a good salary or meaningful work? 52% of employees worldwide tell their children that meaningful work is the most important aspect to consider. However, 50% say the same about salary. In addition, generations that are making their way into the workforce are said to care more about the following aspects of one’s career:
- Time to care for and spend with family
- A feeling of fulfillment
- A successful career path
Since the feeling of purposeful work is a main priority for the coming generations, it’s your job as a business owner to take the necessary steps to ensure your employees feel fulfilled and find purpose in their actions. The following will help your employees find more meaning in their work.
Provide support and employee care benefits
Offering benefits to your employees is essential as it shows them you’re invested in their overall health and future. In addition, a quality benefits package will ultimately help you attract and retain top talent. The following are benefits you should consider adding to your benefits package if you don’t already:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Flexible schedules
- Education assistance
- Paid sick time
- Volunteer opportunities
In addition to providing your employees with resources for good health, it also gives them more purpose in their daily tasks. If they know they have a certain number of vacation days, they are more productive at work, knowing they can take a day off. You must encourage your employees to take breaks and use their PTO, letting them know it’s more than okay to take time for themselves. Try implementing a “use it or lose it” policy, so your employees are encouraged to take time off; otherwise, they will lose their vacation time at the end of the calendar year.
Build a positive work environment
One of the most important factors in adding more purpose to your employee’s work is creating a positive work environment. Let’s face it, creating a healthy, positive working environment brings out the best in everyone. The following are factors to consider when creating a positive work environment:
- Social connection
- Open communication
- A culture of empathy
- Willingness to help
A positive work environment makes employees feel that the culture reflects their values and beliefs, making them more efficient, effective, and fulfilled in their work. The following are additional benefits of a positive workplace that may convince you that a positive environment helps workers feel more purpose in their work:
- Employees take more pride in the work they do for a company they believe in
- There's an inverse relationship between cost and employees' levels of happiness
- It builds a supportive culture that fosters growth for individuals and your organization
Link personal drivers with a team or organizational goals
When employees understand their job’s greater purpose, they are happier, more engaged, and more creative. As a business owner, when your employees see how their job fits the company’s goals, staff turnover decreases, and productivity rises. To learn about your team members' goals and drivers, it’s essential that you and your leaders meet with each employee to determine their drivers. From there, they’ll need to assess how they can connect their motivations with the organization’s goals. For example, if one of your company’s goals is transparent actions and your employee’s driver is to build honest relationships, that would be more motivating since you both are working towards the same goals.
Use feedback to boost positivity
Positive feedback helps motivation, boosts confidence, and shows your employees you value them. Giving positive feedback should be a simple part of your manager’s daily tasks. Research shows that 68% of employees who receive accurate and consistent feedback feel fulfilled. When you provide them with feedback, it motivates them, and they better understand how and where improvements are needed and where their strengths lie. In addition, when you share success stories or feedback from clients for a job well done, it’s a powerful way to inspire your team and keep them connected with the people they’re helping.
GMS Is Here To Help
When you partner with GMS, you are given the tools and resources to help you determine your employee’s goals and drivers. We provide you with performance review services that help you with the following:
- Demystify the approach to implementing performance management
- Recommend the best way to set up an employee appraisal and review process
- Assess and develop employee performance reviews
- Move an organization to an online, electronic system for maximum efficiency when conducting a review process
Our HR experts take on the administrative burdens you don’t have the time to focus on. Let us do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what you do best, growing your business. Contact us today.