What a Worker Wants

As employee loyalty rates decrease and employers strive to remain competitive, it is now more important than ever for employers to determine what their workers really want. Employees want more than a good salary, benefits and opportunities to advance.  They want their employer to consider their desires as well. Here are a few of the most common things workers look for in  a competitive employer market:

Recognition

Every employee wants recognition. This doesn’t necessarily mean that employees want public recognition or some big to-do, but every individual wants to know that their hard work is recognized – and appreciated. Few things are worse than working away at a job, doing excellent work, without ever getting affirmed or rewarded for it. Thankfully there are plenty of ways for employers to recognize quality effort. Employee of the Month programs are a classic example of employee recognition. Incentive programs are also tied to recognition.  These programs recognize the people who have worked the hardest and reward them accordingly.

Better Benefits             

In an increasingly competitive employment context, benefits packages are often the decisive factor. There are a lot of different possible benefits, but the most desirable plans are comprehensive covering health, wellness, and retirement. Good health insurance is particularly coveted, and is the foundation of the best benefits packages. A solid 401(k) or other retirement plan is also an important addition. Health insurance and retirement plans are the two staples, but employees want as many benefits as possible.   Other benefits include onsite child or elder care, wellness programs such as a paid membership to a gym as well as employer paid food and beverage stations rather than vending machines.

Opportunities for Growth and Advancement

Some people are perfectly content to remain in the same position for years on end, but many employees will grow dissatisfied. These employees dread a feeling of stagnancy, and recoil at the thought of doing the same thing over and over without ever learning or experiencing change. If you want them to stick around, consider providing means of honing their craft and expanding their skill set. More than that, provide employees with the chance to move up in the company. The hope of a promotion is often an effective motivational tool.

More Time

It’s no secret that employees want to feel valued. There are a number of ways to accomplish this, but valuing a person’s time is a great start. There are only so many hours in the day, after all, and nobody wants to spend all their time at work. Allowing some flexibility in employee work schedules, whether through telework or flex time, shows that you’re not trying to demand every second of your employees’ time. The best employers want to help their employees’ work-life balance, not overwork them.

Unique Experiences

Millennial workers in particular crave new and exciting experiences. They’re always on the lookout for something truly unique, and often value a memorable experience over a comparatively dull cash bonus. Travel incentive programs have a special appeal to these people. Travel opportunities provide new and interesting experience, as well as a chance to get away and enjoy new surroundings. Travel incentive programs assemble an all-expenses-paid trip, the kind of travel that many individuals wouldn’t end up taking on their own. These opportunities are enjoyable and memorable, and are also one of the most effective ways to motivate employees.

Conclusion

It’s a tough job market out there, but employers need not give up hope. You may not have the biggest budget in the world, but seeking to give employees what they truly want is more important than an aggressively high salary. Attentiveness to the desires of your workers will help you recruit quality employees, as well as retain the employees you have.

Considering a travel incentive program to reward employees?  Contact Gavel International to learn more.