Competent and dedicated employees are an invaluable asset for any enterprise. As such, it behooves businesses of all sizes to put genuine effort into retaining top talent. In the absence of a devoted workforce, many companies are liable to see a significant downturn in the quality of their output and their ability to attract new business. However, despite all this, a surprising number of enterprises consistently take their most talented team members for granted and offer them little incentive to stick around. If the following behaviors describe your company’s approach to employee relations, it may be in your best interest to turn things around.
- Lack of Appreciation
If you show up for work on time, carry out your job duties in a dedicated and professional manner and provide assistance to your coworkers as needed, it’s only natural that you’d expect some recognition on the part of your employer. Unfortunately, many businesses fail to recognize how difficult it is for workers to endure the daily grind and fail to show them any level of appreciation. While it’s true that one’s salary is a form of appreciation, payment for services rendered isn’t quite the same as direct gratitude from a boss or higher-up. After all, if one’s efforts are doomed to be perpetually unappreciated, why should they ever do more than the bare minimum? Companies looking to rectify this mistake should consider the benefits of employee recognition awards, paid time off and outside-the-office events for workers and their families.
- Lack of Advancement Opportunities
It’s important for dedicated employees to feel as if their hard work will ultimately lead to something. If one of your team members has performed his or her job duties admirably for years and has received neither a pay raise nor a promotion, you can’t really blame them for seeking out greener pastures. Offering abundant room for advancement is a great way to keep workers driven, motivated and loyal to your enterprise.
- Lack of Schedule Flexibility
People are busier than ever – and not just at work. Maintaining a home, raising a family and working fulltime often means having very little – if any – flex time. Working a job that needlessly requires employees to be onsite for nine hours a day can be particularly stressful for people dealing with family matters and other responsibilities synonymous with adult life. Giving employees more control over their work schedules – provided they never miss deadlines –can offer tremendous relief to overstretched team members and provide them with incentive to stick with your enterprise. Additionally, having more room to breathe can make work feel like less of a cumbersome chore.
It isn’t hard to see why so many enterprises take their employees for granted. Even if certain individuals constantly go above and beyond the call of duty, it’s easy to grow accustomed to this and expect this type of job performance to continue indefinitely. However, even the most dedicated employees have their breaking point, and if an employer consistently fails to recognize their efforts, they won’t hesitate to jump ship for better opportunities.
