Did you know that one of the highest reasons listed by employees for job dissatisfaction has nothing to do with their pay rate? Numerous studies have shown that the bottom line with the majority of your employees is not their paycheck – it’s how valued they feel within your organization.
It’s all too easy to fall back on the thought that employees are motivated by money. In many cases, it is true that employees will stick around longer if they are getting a higher rate of pay. But, just because they stay doesn’t mean that they’re happy and it certainly doesn’t mean that they are productive.
If you want to get more out of your employees and make sure that your retention numbers stay up, stop worrying about pay rates and start focusing on ways to help your employees feel that you value their contributions to your company.
Here are some simple ways to get started.
- Make it possible for your employees to advance within your organization. If you aren’t practicing promoting from within, now is a great time to start. Instead of looking for new talent when a position comes open, review your existing employees to find those who will be just the right fit.
- Appreciate the work they do. A simple thank you can be the equivalent of hundreds of dollars of cold hard cash. Personally recognize and thank employees who go above and beyond. Let your employees know you appreciate their efforts and reward them when appropriate.
- Listen to their suggestions. In many cases, your employees may know your company better than you do. Hold regular meetings and ask your employees for their feedback on what you could be doing better. You may be surprised at what they come up with. Once you get their feedback, implement the suggestions that are feasible.
When an employee feels valued, they become emotionally invested in your company, instead of just hanging around to collect a check.