The idea that workers should be grateful for the job a company gives them is outdated and old-fashioned. Instead, it makes a great deal of sense for employers to demonstrate that they value and appreciate their employees as a matter of course. When you take the time and effort to make your employees feel valued, it builds morale, motivation, confidence, and job satisfaction. Read on to find out more.
1. Take care of their physical well-being
One of the clearest ways to show employees that you value them is to do everything you can to protect their physical safety and well-being while at work. Of course, the best measures for your organization to take will differ depending on the type of business and the industry.
Let’s take the office environment as an example. Simple things like making sure to regularly check the electrics and that they are safe, and to cover wires and other trip hazards will be appropriate. Also, investing in ergonomic desks, and chairs that safeguard your employee’s posture and wrists while working shows that you care about their physical health in the long term.
On the other hand, if you work in a higher-risk environment, such as a construction site, then PPE, clear signage, and regular safety training may be more appropriate measures to take. You may also wish to implement some healthy living initiatives in the workplace, such as encouraging healthy snacks and more physical movement to promote general health.
2. Support employees’ mental well-being
Taking care of your team’s physical well-being is commendable. But a company that truly wishes to show they value their workers will take steps to safeguard their workers’ mental health too.
The good news is there are many things you can do to promote employee mental health in the workplace. One option might be to encourage a more realistic working culture that balances work and home life.
Some firms introduce counseling, chaplains, yoga, and meditation sessions to help staff deal with stress. These are all at the company’s expense but can be well worth it for the positive impact on the mental health of those in the organization.
3. Food helps employees feel valued too
Food is a wonderful way to show that you appreciate your employees without breaking the bank. There is a wide range of food-related options to choose from. It could be something as simple as baking them a cake to a more structured option, such as offering a discount rate on meal kit services.
Indeed, these recipe boxes are a very valuable benefit for many people because they reduce the amount of mental work required to plan, shop, and prepare meals. That can significantly improve the quality of life of those who use them. So, it is often a welcome treat for employees, especially during times of pressure and stress.
Another food-based option to offer is a free snack bar at work, from which workers can take whatever they choose on a day-to-day basis. Items to include here are nuts and seeds, fruits, and dried fruits, cereal bars, and popcorn.
Be sure to offer fresh, high-quality coffee and tea too. Yes, it may seem like a small thing, but it gives the clear message that you care about your workers, and helps them feel that the employer (you!) appreciates them.
4. Extra benefits
Additional benefits also help to show employees that you value their contribution to the business. That’s especially true if you cannot afford to increase their salary or pay them on a commission basis.
Among the typical extra benefits that businesses offer are gym membership, family medical coverage, and wellness products. Another initiative to consider is a bike scheme, whereby your organization buys a bike so an employee can cycle to work.
Or, you might offer developmental bursaries. That involves giving workers a fixed sum annually to spend on a new skill, such as playing the guitar or learning to paint. The most effective choice will depend on the type of company, size, workplace culture, and more.
5. Help employees feel valued with more time off
Another way to show employees appreciation is by offering them additional paid days off work. This leave is particularly effective after an intense work period in which individuals have put in extra hours to meet a deadline.
It means that employees can have time off without having to take a vacation day. Plus, they can use it for anything they want, from catching up on chores at home that went by the wayside during the busy work period to simply relaxing.
6. Company events
Organizing a fun event is also an effective way to show employees how much you value them. But, you must do it correctly for it to be effective.
After all, if you organize something, ask people to come, and then also ask them to pay for the privilege, it can generate resentment. That goes against the whole purpose of building a more positive employer-employee relationship.
The type of event you choose requires careful consideration. If it is not something that the majority of your workers will enjoy, it can backfire.
With that in mind, a delicious meal in a nice restaurant or tickets to a show may be the best choice. That is especially true if your employees straddle a wider age range.
7. Encourage a culture of gratitude so employees feel valued
Gratitude in the workplace can be a strange thing. Indeed, people can find it hard to both express and receive it.
However, showing gratitude for a job well done is one of the cornerstones of showing your employees they are valued. It is also integral to maintaining enough morale and motivation to be a productive team.
Thus, slowly building a culture of gratitude within the workplace can be very beneficial to the organization. To do so, you will need to encourage managers to give meaningful thanks to those under and around them.
Giving meaningful thanks does not just mean saying “thank you” for every little thing they do. Instead, it’s about picking out something specific that someone did well and giving them detailed positive feedback on it soon after it occurred.
Slowly, these efforts help to create a culture of genuine, meaningful gratitude that helps your workers feel valued. It will also boost their confidence and build robust working relationships to rely on in even the most stressful of times.