Top 10 tips for Keeping Staff Happy and Business Booming in a Recession
Before the recession and looming threat of job loss became a factor in the life of the American employee, many people were already spending more time at work than at home. Today that pattern has become cemented in the American workplace. In the midst of a struggling economy, for employers, keeping your staff happy is not only an investment in your relationship, it is an investment in your business. You cannot expect more from your workers, knowing that they are grateful to have a job and won’t complain. Retaining talented staff takes work. A happy employee is a productive employee. They are the only way to keep your business alive, or even growing, in this economy.
Jeff Kroll, founder of the Law of Offices of Jeffrey Kroll, suggests the following tips:
1. Enable employees to balance work and personal life. Allow flexible starting and finishing times.
2. Consider telecommuting when personal issues arise. As long as their work is getting done, trust them, don’t micromanage.
3. Allow for casual attire when clients are not on site, particularly in the summer when it can be uncomfortable to wear formal business attire.
4. Make the workplace a pleasant place to work with music, water bubblers, coffee/tea facilities, and complimentary snacks from time to time.
5. Involve staff, whenever possible, in decisions that affect their jobs and the overall direction of the business or department. Keep them in the loop.
6. Reward hard work, even small goals: there’s no point in waiting until the year-end bonus, it won’t keep anyone going for an entire year. People need short term rewards.
7. Offer to help your staff when they feel overwhelmed. If you cannot help, just acknowledging their workload can go a long way.
8. When you give constructive criticism, ask for it in return.
9. Schedule weekly meetings that are held consistently in person. Allow for open dialogue and privacy to allow the employee to speak openly.
10. Have offsite meals at least once a month for team building and to show appreciation.
Source: Jeffrey J. Kroll is the principal at the Law Offices of Jeffrey Kroll; http://www.kroll-lawfirm.com/.
Reprinted with permission. © CCH
(Submitted June 2009)
<p>In the midst of a struggling economy, for employers, keeping your staff happy is not only an investment in your relationship, it is an investment in your business.</p>
/training_performance/top_10_tips_for_keeping_staff_happy_and_business_booming_in_a_recession.aspx