Are you offering right combination that will attract, retain best staff?

Many parents have to balance between work and bringing up children. PHOTO | FILE 

By MUMBI WAWER

In Summary

• Human beings primarily want recognition and a flexible schedule.

One question potential employees will ask themselves before joining is whether the organisation in sight has a good work environment.

What is it that drives an employee looking for greener pastures? Apart from remuneration and other tangible benefits, what separates a good work environment from a bad one?

1. Communication

One of the motivating factors is communication. Employees cherish an environment where communication is open and transparent, where everyone.

In essence, a transparent and open communication gives the employe confidence that what they say has value since human beings do not fancy being ignored.

Further, involving employees in discussions regarding organisational values, objectives and mission creates a sense of belonging. Open communication also makes employees free to contribute ideas.

2. Quality work life

There has to a balance between work and personal life. Having that sense of balance will improve job satisfaction among employees because they will feel they’re not overlooking the other areas of their lives that are, if not more, important to them than work.

With many single parents who have to balance between work and fulfilment of family obligations, especially bringing up children, some organisations have gone further to establish day-care centres for employees.

This is a win-win situation that saves the staff the hustle of running to drop and pick up children while the organisation also saves on potential time-off when a parent’s attention is needed elsewhere.

Some companies that mind employees’ physical health have gymnasia within their premises.

3. Staff development

It is not uncommon for an employee to work for several years in the same position without development. A good organisation, from time of recruitment, will assess the new employee’s potential and to deliberately chart a path for personal development.

Some of the methods are periodic staff appraisals and involving employees in projects to expose them to other functions, changes and trends.

A positive work environment provides routine trainings to improve efficiency and instill positive attitude.

However, employers also need to appreciate that some staff may be good technically but do not have the emotional intelligence to be good supervisors. Such employees should be ‘improved’ in the line of what they are good at.

4. Recognition for excellent performance

“Am I recognised or praised for the work I do?” many employees are wont to ask. What the employee is looking for in this case is reward, but it does not necessarily mean tangibles with monetary value.

A simple pat on the back will do. When employees feel rewarded in this respect, they will be willing to go extra miles without worrying about compensation. It is appropriate to praise good performers in public but admonish non-performers in private.

5. Strong team spirit

Human beings seek support from peers to belong to a group. A team is like a system, the whole is bigger than the parts. Also, employees, at least on regular work days spent more time with their colleagues than even family.

Members of a team become second family. Come tough times, the team should come together to deal with problems. Being a member of a team with positive intentions can be a fulfilling prospect.

6. Immediate supervisor's character

Most employees do not leave an organisation because of its policies. Rather, most people end up hating organisations they work for because of experience they have with their immediate supervisors.

Managers with destructive energy can stifle ideas and impede performance. Immediate supervisor defines your work environment.

The writer is the MD, Anchorage Limited.