At Clayton & McKervey, we have found that one of the best ways to attract and retain top talent is by creating an inviting company culture focused on our most important asset: our team members. A recent survey by Glassdoor found that 56% of workers prioritized a positive workplace culture among all key attributes, including salary. It is simply good business sense to focus on employee wellbeing; physically, socially, and emotionally.
A culture of trust and open, two-way communication are foundational to social and emotional wellbeing in the workplace. A business that can demonstrate that they consider more than just the basic physical needs of their employees will earn their loyalty, increase retention that reduces costs, and improve employee productivity.
Employees Need to be Heard
One of the main reasons employees lose motivation is when they feel unappreciated or unheard. The best way to find out what team members value within the workplace is to ask for their input and include them in the firm’s decision-making processes. Whether discussing volunteer opportunities or corporate initiatives, the key is creating a community they want to be a part of.
Employees Need to Connect
The permanence of remote or hybrid work settings can become a barrier to authentic connection if not managed. Companies need to be intentional to maintain and build a community post pandemic. Hosting group lunches, happy hours, community outreach initiatives, team-building activities or even virtual guided meditation classes for their teams to manage stress can help reinforce the concept that we’re all essential to the workplace. Companies can also virtually connect their employees on a variety of platforms, such as SharePoint, which enable more personal discussion on topics of shared interest.
Encouraging participation and employee engagement is beneficial for a strong workplace culture even if these activities take some time and don’t contribute immediately to the bottom line. Over time, they will. According to the Harvard Business Review, disengaged workers can be costly as they tend to have 37% higher absenteeism, 49% more accidents, 60% more errors, 18% lower productivity, and 16% lower profitability.
Employees Need to Feel Supported
We’ve learned that offering flexible work schedules and providing hybrid options are viable ways to support employee work-life balance. In our industry, remote or flexible work arrangements have become a determining factor for many job seekers. Beyond where individuals work, companies can also support employee’s personal needs by offering a “no questions asked” paid time off (PTO) policy which demonstrates trust in how the team self manages. Whether for illness, vacation or a mental health day, employees value the ability to take time to unplug or attend to personal matters.
For employees struggling with the financial pressures of inflation or who needed to reduce work schedules to manage family matters during the pandemic, it may be prudent to offer access to financial wellness programs. In addition, employers can offer meal support, such as Grubhub, for employees during especially busy seasons to show support. Other initiatives that businesses can easily incorporate include walking meetings and allotting time during the workday to break for physical fitness activities.
Continue the Conversation
Clayton & McKervey is committed to supporting our team as the world navigates workplace culture post pandemic. Engaging and retaining talent is our top priority and our ability to adapt to the needs of the workforce are keys to success in 2022 and beyond. Please contact us for more information.
