7 Ways to Gain and Keep Strong Employees


Gone are the days when time off and basic health insurance was enough to keep employees motivated to join and stay with a company. Nowadays, businesses are offering a variety of perks and enticements to attract solid workers and convince them to stay with the company long-term. If you are trying to add contemporary compensations to your employee benefits package, read on to learn about some modern perks companies are offering.

1. Fitness Incentives

Exercise is a primary component of a healthy lifestyle. If a number of your employees sit at a desk all day, it is important to make sure they have an outlet to engage in physical fitness activities. Give your employees access to a fitness center that they can use before, during or after their shift. Some companies will have equipment on-site, such as treadmills, free weights and stationary bikes. However, the more you can offer your employees, the better it encourages them to stay. Ask around to see if any certified staff members would consider leading different fitness classes, such as yoga or Zumba. You might also think about investing in an upscale item such as an in ground pool. Hire a professional to provide an estimate on an in ground pool costOpens in a new tab. and ask for recommendations on the construction, materials and design. They can also share what other companies utilize and help ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck.

2. Provide Meals and Snacks

If you want to keep your employees motivated throughout the day, provide snacks and meal options. This involves more than just adding a vending machine in the break room. Many companies today are supplying free meals for their workers. Some employers order catering while others provide a stocked kitchen with multiple meal options, such as cereal, sandwiches, premade salads and microwavable meals. In addition, snacks are made readily available, along with fridges stocked with soda, juice and other beverages. If you cannot afford to stock meals on a daily basis, consider just furnishing a kitchen with snacks. Whatever your budget, most employees will be grateful for any amount of free food and drinks you provide.

3. Allow Employees to Work Remotely

With all the changes going on in the world today, many employers are giving their staff members the option to work remotely. This is a fantastic incentive since employees will save time and money by not having to commute. Plus, it gives employers the advantage of not having to limit their applicants to a specific areaOpens in a new tab.. By working remotely, employees can continue to work when they typically would not be able to, such as checking in on work items while visiting a client or on vacation. Video chat applications, such as Zoom, offer ways to still have visual interaction even when everyone works somewhere different. Remote work gives employeesOpens in a new tab. a sense of freedom and independence, which also gives them more incentive to pick your company when job hunting.

4. Allow Flexible Scheduling

With workers handling families, school, appointments and a number of other tasks each day outside of their jobs, offering a flexible work schedule can be a big determinant for a potential employee. If the position allows for it, let employees create their own schedule or give them the flexibility to step away during the day as needed. Communication is key. When employees create their own schedule, make sure they have a discussion with their manager prior to finalizing it to ensure any boundaries are discussed. If the employee has a set schedule but freedom to step away during the day, ensure the manager is aware when the staff member will be gone. Since there can be so many other responsibilities to complete each day, allowing a worker to tend to those needs can create a sense of trust and loyalty between the employee and employer. Plus, you will likely have employees that stick around longer if they feel their manager trusts them, and they have the independence to tend to other people and tasks in their lives.

5. Provide Onsite Childcare or Childcare Payment

One of the toughest obstacles parents face is finding affordable and trustworthy childcare. While many mothers or fathers would love to stay home with their kids full time, it is often not an option due to financial obligations. Therefore, parents are stuck between a rock and a hard place. One of the best things a company can do to motivate employees is to remove or ease the burden of finding childcare. If you are able, consider offering free onsite childcare for employees. This gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is close and being cared for by a credible adult. Freeing parents from the worry of childcare allows them to focus solely on the task at hand. If providing childcare is not an option for your business, consider offering employees a childcare stimulus on a bi-weekly, monthly or quarterly basis. While you might not be able to completely remove the childcare hurdle, you can help by providing financial assistance.

6. Offer a Generous Parental Leave

Unfortunately, the United States is behind many other countries when it comes to parental leaveOpens in a new tab. available to those in the workforce. Many mothers have to return to work only a few weeks after giving birth because they cannot afford to lose income. In addition, many companies do not even offer paternity leave for fathers. If you want to encourage potential employees to work for you, as well as keep your current staff, do not force them to choose between family and finances by making them feel obligated to return to work right away. Allow your employees a generous amount of time with their families after the addition of a new family member. Doing this helps create a work-life balanced atmosphere. Most likely, your employee will return to work healthy and ready to focus on the job.

7. Sponsor Company Events

Another great motivator for employees is company-sponsored events — and not just at Christmas time. Holding a function outside the office after working hours is a great way to promote employee engagement, as well as get to know your workers better. Events also give your staff members something to look forward to. If you allow your employees to work remotely, company events become extra important since your employees do not interact with each other in person on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your company, try to have a gathering each month or quarter. It does not have to be elaborate or expensive every time. Host a happy hour where the company buys the first round. Go to the movies on a Friday night. If you cannot afford to buy everyone’s tickets, buy a small popcorn for each person who attends. If you are able, try to host larger events throughout the year. Buy tickets for everyone to go to a local sports game. Sponsor a weekend retreat, where you do team-building exercises during the day and explore the town in the evening.

Hard-working, trustworthy employees are one of the most valuable assets a company can have. Offering generous benefits and perks not only motivates individuals to join your company but also serves as a way to keep them engaged and stay with the organization for the long haul. The above benefits are great options for nabbing and keeping the best in the business.

Steve Todd

Steve Todd, founder of Open Sourced Workplace and is a recognized thought leader in workplace strategy and the future of work. With a passion for work from anywhere, Steve has successfully implemented transformative strategies that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Through Open Sourced Workplace, he fosters collaboration among HR, facilities management, technology, and real estate professionals, providing valuable insights and resources. As a speaker and contributor to various publications, Steve remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of workplace innovation, helping organizations thrive in today's dynamic work environment.

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