Articles

Five Ways to Help Employees Feel Valued

The four workshop participants sat bewildered, whispering to one another. The assigned exercise had asked them to list one way their place of employment showed them they were assets. Even putting their heads together, they were unable to supply an answer. The exercise left them wondering if they had any value in their workplaces.

What their supervisors apparently didn't realize is that showing employees that they are assets is vital to retaining good employees. What's more conveying their value can be really simple, low-cost and painless to implement. Some supervisors complain they don't have the time to recognize employees. It is wise to remember, however, that when a good employee leaves, it takes far more time to hire and train a new employee. Making time in your day to recognize people for their efforts will go a long way towards keeping good employees, saving you time in the long run.

These five ideas can help you retain good employees by communicating their value to your business.

1. Provide Business Cards. A low cost way to show your employees that they're important to you is to supply them with business cards. Employers must remember that actions speak louder than words. Business cards are important to employees. They also tell those who receive them that this is a great place to work -- a place where employees are treated with respect.
   
   An employee of a large company that had recently undergone a merger was embarrassed when I asked her for a business card to follow up with some seminar information she'd requested. As she turned to a blank page in her seminar notebook to write her contact information, she shared her company had eliminate business cards and casual Fridays. The employees, she continued, had just received a memo encouraging good morale in the workplace. In reality, the employees were feeling unimportant during the transition period and morale was low. A company memo was not the solution to low morale.
   
2. Keep people "in the loop." Employees often feel left out and unimportant when they are not kept informed about work-related issues. Hearing information or rumors through the work grapevine or while getting one's hair cut adds frustration and uncertainty to the issues at hand. When you keep people informed on work-related issues, they feel included and part of the team.
   
   Even on issues where you are unsure of, you will strengthen employee loyalty if you share what the issue is how you might approach it. You can add at this point you do not have all the answers, but that you will share them when you do.
   
3. Thank workers for their day's work. The cost is zero; the benefit immeasurable.
   
   A supervisor from a Nebraska business commented that when she started working in her area she thanked the employees as they left. The workers, stunned, told her no one had ever thanked them before. Many had worked there for years! She had simply told them she was thankful for the hard work they had accomplished during the day. She felt it made an impression on the workers and noted that their productivity was often greater the next day after she thanked them.
   
4. What is your opinion? These can be the four most important words in the English language. People want to know they are important and their opinion is valuable. One manager says he always asks his employees for their input when considering hiring a temporary worker to a full time position. It's equally important, though, to listen to the responses. This manager shared that one occasion he didn't take his workers' advise and the employee he hired proved not to be a match for their work environment.
   
   Bob Vest from Mercy Medical Center shared that all 2200 employees are surveyed for their input every two years. The employees are asked to evaluate the changes that have been implemented in the past and ask what other issues they would like to have addressed.
   
5. Plan fun activities. These can range from organizing informal potlucks to having food delivered to planning an event outside of work. Choose the activities that best suit your employees. Birthday celebrations and special holidays or "team days" when employees can dress up can give a special lift to your work environment. Mercy Medical Center has picnics provided to the employees on their lawn.
   
   Remember to involve some of your employees in planning of events that will require employee preparation. Heartland of Bellefontaine gives employees a budget to decorate the different wings of the facility for the December holidays. Prizes are awarded for the best wing. A doctor's office had their office picnic at the county fair. They plan to do so again, because there was something for everyone to do. Being creative adds additional fun to the workplace.

Don't Leave Employees Wondering

Retaining good employees is a challenge that must be part of your business mix. It's critical to give employees feedback that they are doing a good job and are important to the success of your business.. Don't let your employees sit and wonder like the participants at the workshop did. Let them know they are a valuable assets to your business.

Building tips to keep your best people:

• Communicate to build loyalty
• Remember everyday niceties: "hi," "good morning," and "thank you"
• Plan fun activities that will build relationships with coworkers

Building Knowledge, book recommendation:
Heart At Work
by: Jack Canfield & Jacqueline Miller