How a Few Changes Can Make Your Employees Happier and More Productive

Effective employee management starts with knowing how your employees feel. Assess your organization. How are the overall work conditions? Is employee morale high or low? Does the company present itself as a cohesive unit? Are the wants and needs of employees considered when making changes or decisions?

It’s no secret that happy employees have a positive effect on the bottom line and atmosphere of the organization. Tapping into that power is key in making sure you retain qualified, competent workers. Happy employees become loyal employees – the key to longevity. Making a few changes within your organization can turn the tables in your favor.

Here are a few suggestions:

Open Communication

Keeping employees well informed is a good practice in effective employee management. Utilizing a company intranet, communication boards, e-mail or weekly meetings can go a long way in ensuring employees feel secure in their roles. Something as simple as lunchtime round tables can make a difference, and will alleviate mid-level managers from making employees work during their lunch break.

Work/Life Incentives

Initiating a work/life balance policy within the organization makes a difference. Getting discounts to gym memberships, child care, tickets to family events or holding special company-wide events shows a commitment to employees and their families. Employees are more likely to do a great job when they have incentives that go beyond the office. Having a credit union that offers discounted rates on loans and other items, or partnerships with banks that can benefit the employee can contribute to a happy and stable work environment.

Fair and Competitive Compensation

Being paid for excellent work rates high on the scale of productivity. When employees are paid at fair levels, they tend to stick around. Offering bonuses, stock options and competitive raises keeps employees happy and increases productivity.

Career Enhancement

When companies take a vested interest in helping their employees advance, it reflects in productivity and employee morale. Offering tuition assistance or sending employees to professional development classes demonstrates the company wants to keep their employees well-trained and competitive. Providing bonuses or promotions when employees receive their degrees or complete significant educational goals also increases productivity and employee loyalty.

How can these changes be implemented?

• Working with Human Resources

• Creating a Work/Life Committee

• Getting senior management on board

• Soliciting feedback from employees

Working with employees to improve their working conditions not only increases productivity, but helps the company advance as a whole in effective employee management.