Company Culture and Great Places to Work
If you dread going to the office every morning, you aren’t alone. In fact, some surveys indicate that more than half of Americans are unhappy at work. What can companies do to help motivate their employees and make their businesses ones that people are eager to join? Here are six things that help make great places to work.
Allow Creativity
Great businesses allow their employees to be creative. In fact, they encourage creative thinking as a way to brainstorm new products and services, structure workgroups and staffing, and complete individual assignments. Supportive bosses will understand that not all ideas that flow out of creative thinking will be successful and that there is no failure, but only feedback. They will support ideas and efforts that result in a failure as much as they celebrate achievements.
Some tips for encouraging creativity in the workplace are to explain the needs and situation, guidelines or parameters for a solution, and then leave your staff to brainstorm. Try to avoid micromanaging, which will only frustrate creative thinking.
Provide Recognition
When the staff works hard every day, it is important that their efforts receive recognition along the way. Having your routine work appreciated, and not just major milestones, can go along way to helping you feel appreciated and happier at work.
Recognition may not be an elaborate employee appreciation party or expensive gifts, either. Just having a boss that lets you know they are aware of where you started and how far you’ve come professionally, who acknowledges your contributions to projects, no matter how small they may seem, can often be enough. It is always nice, though, when a business is in a position to offer incentives for reaching certain goals.
Provide Educational Assistance
By investing in the development of its staff, a business is showing them that they are valuable. Look for companies that offer some form of tuition reimbursement, help with student loan payments, or provide access to free or discounted professional development courses for employees. When your employer invests in your learning and skill development, they are hoping you will stay long term. Possibly become the future leadership of the organization.
Empower Employees
Businesses that empower their employees, whether that is through helping them grow professionally or through ownership options like the ones offered at Le-Vel Thrive, these businesses encourage people to take charge.
It can be as simple as seeking out feedback on their management performance from staff and then acting on it. Over time, this type of feedback loop will help develop a level of trust between staff and management. It may also help to provide a renewed sense of ownership among the staff at your organization.
Promote Balance
Establishing a work-life balance is increasingly important to workers. For some, that means a flexible work schedule. For others, it is the ability to work remotely. Managers who not only understand that the traditional nine to five schedule may not work for everyone but are also willing to be flexible around staff needs can help foster a happier workplace.
Flextime isn’t for everyone, though. For some workers, the balance may come from a comprehensive health care plan, retirement plans or assistance, or even extra vacation or personal time. Businesses that are willing to work with employees to tailor those plans are investing in your happiness.
Create Meaningful Experiences
More and more, people want their work to have meaning. That meaning can relate to several different things. For some, knowing that their work contributes to the greater good of society at some level is what drives them. They will find meaning in a career where they can impact others in a positive way. For others, a career that allows them the freedom to be themselves or use their talents will be the most meaningful. It doesn’t matter as much how people find meaning in their work, but that they are encouraged to do so.
It is important to understand what makes a workplace a happy, welcoming, and supportive space. So, whether you are thinking of leaving a job that makes you miserable or just starting out in your career, now you know what to look for when you consider places to work.
Posted By KevinFaber