In the world of business, we all know that the customer is king, however, the contentment and the happiness of your employees should also be a major priority for any employer. When your employees are well taken care of, it gives them the confidence to work well and effectively, as well as becoming genuine ambassadors of your business and brand.
Of course being a business owner means you already have so much responsibility, however, there are some simple way you can keep your workforce content without losing focus in other areas. Read on to find out what they are.
Keep them safe
Safety in the workplace is a paramount concern, if you can’t keep your employees safe then you’ll not only be breaking laws but come across as someone who simply doesn’t care. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can implement safety at work and show your employees you value their safety and happiness. From displaying the right warning signage – discover mysafetysign.com for the latest in health and safety signage design – to full risk assessments, encouraging your staff to approach you about potential dangers, have emergency drills in place for fire, theft or other emergencies and keeping them up to date with the latest training and safety measures within your industry.
Appreciate their development
When you become an employer, it’s easy to simply find fault or constructively criticise your employees – it’s only natural, after all you want your business to be a success. However, if you want your workforce to champion your brand and work hard for you, then recognising their progress is an absolute must. If an employee has smashed their targets or they’ve worked hard on a certain aspect of their work then they should be commended. Let them know personally, from you that you appreciate their progress.
Encourage good mental health
We all know how demanding work can be, with life also being relentless. Throw in financial problems, emotional issues and personal trauma and it’s a wonder that anyone can get out of bed in a morning. But your employees do. They come to work for you. Encouraging good mental health practices at work will not only help your employees on a personal level but also give them cause to keep working and value you as an employer who genuinely cares for them.
Be flexible
As a business owner, you’ll want things done within a certain time frame and to a high standard. However, it’s important to be flexible with your employees and remember that they have lives outside of work. From family emergencies to Christmas plays, holidays and time off for personal reasons…be flexible (but don’t be taken advantage of) and your employees will respect you.
Perks, perks, perks!
As an employer, the idea of perks can often mean huge bills and a quivering business account. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to buy every employee a new car for Christmas to show your appreciation and to keep them happy. Simple gestures such as providing tea, coffee and biscuits in the breakroom or offering to buy lunch for everyone when a large order is fulfilled etc. It’s the little things that make people feel happy and content!
