In a work environment, the happier and more content your employees are, the better work is going to get done. While this may seem like it’s pretty common sense, many business owners and managers don’t really know what they can do to make their employees happier aside from offering them more money. If your business is a little strapped for cash, giving out big bonuses or large pay raises isn’t going to be a possibility. However, there are still plenty of things you can do to make your employees happy without shelling out a ton of money.
Offer Better Benefits
One of the best things about having a full-time job for your employees is the benefits you offer them. Regardless of if you have a small or large business, you can show your employees that you care for them and want them to be happy by how invested you are in the benefits they receive. According to Geoff Williams, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, you should only offer your employees enough benefits that the health of your business isn’t in jeopardy. This can include, if possible, health insurance, retirement plans and more.
Show Them You Value Them
The reason employees feel happier with bigger checks from work is because they feel that work values them enough to pay them more money. However, you can still achieve this state of being for your employees by showing them you value them in other ways as well. According to The Muse, a contributor to Forbes.com, you can and should also show your employees you value them by not making them feel replaceable and challenging them in a way that’s beneficial to their careers and to the company. This type of value often can’t have a price put on it, making it that much more meaningful to your employees.
Be Open and Honest
One of the biggest complaints from employees, especially employees in larger companies, is that there isn’t enough transparency between upper management and the ground workers. Robert Hohman, a contributor to Fortune.com, shares that when employees don’t know what’s really going on behind closed doors, they become more and more unsettled at their jobs. These feelings can results in a large amount of other issues between employees and the workforce, like a lack of respect and a misunderstanding of the true mission of the company. To combat against this, try to always share relevant information with each member of your company to help them feel like they’re a part of the team.
By doing the three things mentioned above, you will see that your employees will be happier at work and will, in turn, become better workers for you. Put these ideas to the test to see just how much more productive and fruitful your business can be when you have happy and contented workers getting the job done.
Originally posted on December 22, 2015 @ 1:53 pm