Valuing your employees and why it matters

Imagine a work environment where what you do is not appreciated, your skills go unnoticed and you could be replaced in a blink of an eye. Would you work there? Or would you go somewhere else where your hard work is appreciated? In today’s work environment, the notion of “just be grateful you have a job” is a fast ticket to low performance and high turnover. The 21st-century employee wants more than benefits and higher salaries!

Zachary Watson, CEO at HoneyCo said: ‘If you're looking to keep an employee by giving them a raise, it's already too late.’ So what do employers do to make sure workers feel appreciated and valued other than the cliché monetary incentive? There are a few creative ways to consider to ensure job satisfaction and productivity. Here are some tips on how to make your employees feel appreciated.

Recognize them as Individuals

No matter how you look at it, it's individuals who make up a team. Managers should be able to recognize an individual within a team. Not all team members deserve a pat on the back for a project that has been pulled off successfully. Thank everyone, yes! But single out an employee within a group who went the extra mile. Do this with everyone, reward them as a group for good work, but remember, they are individuals first and ought to be appreciated for their input. Do this with care as you don’t want other team members to feel ostracized. 

Help them grow 

According to a survey by Glassdoor and Harris Interactive, more applicants—52%—wanted to hear about growth opportunities when interviewing for a job than about any other perk. When you help your employees grow, you empower them. A lot can be done to encourage growth in a dedicated employee, for example, you can: help them build networks, assign mentors or create a development plan aimed at creating goals that are aligned with your employee's skills and strengths.

Positive work environment 

Studies show that employees are 38% more likely to perform above average when they are highly engaged. To get the most out of your employees, you have to create a positive work environment for the entire team. This encourages teamwork and communication which in turn, increases engagement while buffering stress and other negative issues. So basically happy employee equals a happy work environment!

It takes two to tango 

As much as it’s the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their employees are engaged and enjoy their work daily, it’s also the responsibility of the employee to want to be engaged. ‘’There has to be a deep-seated desire in your heart and mind to participate, to be involved, and to make a difference. If the desire isn’t there, no person or book can plant it within you.” –Tim Clark.

Good employees are the lifeblood of a great company. They understand their value and input in line with the greater picture of the organization. Corporations whose employees are engaged perform better than companies whose employees are not by over 200%. Investing in your employee's well-being is crucial to continue to be competitive in this challenging business environment. 

Imagine a work environment where what you do is not appreciated, your skills go unnoticed and you could be replaced in a blink of an eye. Would you work there? Or would you go somewhere else where your hard work is appreciated? In today’s work environment, the notion of “just be grateful you have a job” is a fast ticket to low performance.