Chief Academic and Learning Officer (HCI Academy); Chair/Professor, Organizational Leadership (UVU); OD Consultant (Human Capital Innovation)
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When I walked into the office on my first day as a new hire, I didn’t start out feeling nervous and nervous. I had landed my dream job at a company I had long admired for its innovative products and forward-thinking culture. As I settled into my new role, I quickly realized that the company was living up to its reputation. My manager was supportive and empowering, the company offered a range of benefits and perks and placed a strong emphasis on work-life balance. It is clear that the company values its employees and is committed to their success.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize that, unfortunately, this type of positive, healthy work experience is often not the norm. In today’s modern work world, many employees feel overworked, undervalued and disconnected from their companies. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, as remote work and virtual communication have become the norm for many workers.
How can other companies replicate my positive experience as a new employee within their team and organization?
Shifting organizational and leadership landscape
Gone are the days of the traditional, hierarchical organizational structure. Today’s companies are increasingly adopting more flexible and agile approaches to work with a focus on collaboration and innovation. This shift is driven in part by advances in technology, which have made it easier for employees to work remotely and collaborate across geographic boundaries.
In addition to changes in work structure, there is also a change in leadership styles. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, the old model of top-down authoritarian leadership is no longer effective. Instead, leaders embrace a more collaborative and empowering leadership style, where leaders work with their teams to set more company goals and solve problems. This approach not only fosters a more positive work culture but can also lead to better results for the company as a whole.
Providing comprehensive support to workers
Everyone wants to feel valued and get paid, but to attract and retain top talent, companies must go beyond offering a competitive salary and benefits package. Today’s employees are looking for a holistic work experience that meets their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs.
One key component of holistic support is providing resources and tools to help employees be productive and successful in their roles. This includes things like access to technology and software, as well as training and development opportunities. Companies should consider offering support services such as mental health resources and wellness programs, as well as opportunities for social connections and community building. Companies can support their employees by promoting a positive work culture, including providing opportunities for personal and professional development, as well as creating a safe and inclusive workplace.
Another way to provide holistic wellness and support is to implement employee assistance programs. These programs provide resources such as counseling services, stress management techniques and financial planning assistance to help workers cope with various challenges in life.
Overall, it is imperative that companies prioritize the holistic wellness of their employees and provide support to foster a productive and engaged workforce. By providing resources and promoting a positive work culture, companies can help their employees lead healthy and fulfilling lives and help the organization succeed.
Five strategies to up your employee attraction and retention game
As an organizational leader, employee attraction and retention is critical to your company’s success and growth. While high turnover rates can be costly and disruptive, an engaged and motivated workforce can lead to increased productivity and profitability.
Here are five strategies to up your employee attraction and retention game:
• Foster a positive company culture. A positive company culture that values diversity, inclusion and open communication helps attract and retain top talent. Make sure your company values and culture are reflected in your hiring process, employee policies and daily work environment.
• Provide opportunities for growth and development. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers opportunities for career development and advancement. Consider training and development programs, mentorship opportunities, and opportunities for employees to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
• Encourage work-life balance. A healthy work-life balance is important for employee satisfaction and retention. Offer flexible work arrangements, such as the option to work from home or flexible working hours, to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.
• Show appreciation and recognition. Recognizing and appreciating employees’ hard work and contributions can go a long way toward increasing employee satisfaction and retention. Consider implementing a recognition program or taking the time to personally thank employees for their efforts.
• Offer competitive compensation and benefits packages. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that values their contributions and offers competitive wages, bonuses, and benefits such as health care, retirement plans, and paid time off. Consider conducting market research to ensure your compensation and benefits packages are competitive within your industry.
Implementing these strategies will help you attract and retain top talent, leading to a stronger, more productive team. By investing in your employees, you can improve retention rates and overall business performance.
conclusion
Finally, the modern world of work is constantly evolving, and it is important for organizations to adapt their strategies to attract, retain and support employees. The changing organizational and leadership landscape has brought new challenges and opportunities, and it is critical that organizations fully support their employees. By implementing the strategies outlined above, organizational leaders can improve their employee brand with potential employees and supercharge their employee attraction and retention efforts, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce. Ultimately, attracting, retaining and supporting employees is not only the right thing to do from a human perspective, but is essential to any organization’s success in today’s hyper-competitive and interconnected global business environment.
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