Is Your Company a Great Place to Work?

Businesses lauded among the “Best Places to Work” often experience significant growth and success. That’s not just a coincidence: these awards ultimately reveal what employees care about in the workplace and how successfully those factors are being delivered.

When people are happy, engaged, and inspired in their work, they perform better and so does the organization as a whole. The more you understand those elements that make a company a great place to work, the more you can do to drive those qualities in your own organization.

While we’re all unique and have our individual preferences, these six factors are seen consistently in businesses acclaimed as “great places to work”:

1. Appreciation.  Numerous studies have shown that the number one reason people leave their jobs is that they don’t feel appreciated.  Organizations with recognition programs that effectively drive employee engagement have far lower voluntary turnover than organizations with ineffective or non-existent recognition programs.
2. Flexibility.  More and more employees are seeking flexibility in their work week. That might come in the form of telecommuting, condensed work weeks, or flex time, for example.  Added flexibility in the workplace enables staff to operate at their highest level, improving their satisfaction and their productivity.
3. Meaningful work. At organizations with great cultures, employees feel connected to a shared purpose when they come to work each day. Programs are in place to foster pride in their work, and to demonstrate the value of what they do for customers and for society.
4. Caring. Superior workplaces make it clear that they care for employees as human beings, not just as workers. They provide work/life benefits and programs that are accessible to everyone and that support a wide variety of individual needs.
5. Respect. Everyone wants to feel heard and respected. Employee feedback is essential to ensure a positive, efficient, and happy workplace. Great organizations give their people a voice; they listen; and they show their respect by taking appropriate actions when needed.
6. Employee development. When leaders value their employees as a critical part of the company’s success, they treat training and development as a top priority. The best workplaces foster a culture of learning, and provide employees with a variety of channels to further their professional growth and personal interests.

Great employers shift the focus from trying to get more out of people to investing more in them. When your employees’ needs are met, they’ll feel inspired to bring the best version of themselves to work every day. How does your company measure up?

About The HR Team: Founded in 1996, The HR Team is a Maryland-based human resources outsourcing firm committed to developing  strategic, customized  solutions that respond to the unique needs and cultures of organizations of all types and sizes. Available as a one-source alternative to an in-house HR department or on an à la carte project basis, the company’s flexible service models address the full spectrum of HR needs that many organizations struggle to address. The HR Team helps clients achieve their highest level of success by providing value-driven human resources services that leave them time to focus on what they do best: directing business growth and profitability. To learn more about The HR Team, call 410.381.9700 or visit www.thehrteam.com.