Over the past year, our world has seen just how fragile the employment market can be. Due to the millions of furloughs and layoffs that have taken place since the start of the pandemic, job security has never been more uncertain for many employees. That’s why it has been somewhat uncommon to see individuals decide to accept a new position with another organization.

As America continues its mass production and administration of vaccines, workers’ fear of changing jobs during the pandemic will eventually dissipate. And with it will come an unprecedented number of employees on the lookout for new employment opportunities.

So how can your organization ensure that your talent isn’t scouring the job market for a new role? Here are some tips to improve your organization’s culture, enhance your employee engagement, and strengthen your employer brand.

Provide consistent feedback

According to Officevibe, 96% of employees stated that receiving regular feedback is a good thing. Yet the same study revealed that 62% of employees wish they received more of it from their managers. To foster a more positive and growth-oriented workplace, organizations need to mandate the provision of ongoing feedback. This is a critical step in maintaining motivation and collective buy-in across the organization.

Ensure that voices are heard

In a recent study conducted by Salesforce Research, employees are almost five times more likely to feel empowered to do their best work when they feel heard. Organizations must encourage their managers to actively listen to the needs of their workers. Take the time to pay attention to employees’ ideas and implement the ones that are practical. This will help to cultivate a workplace that empowers and supports its people.

Utilize social media

Using social media platforms to highlight the who, what, and why of your company is a great way to build your employer brand. Showcase employee success stories through videos or write-ups, key-in on primary differentiators, or articulate your organization’s mission and values. The utilization of social media will also enable your employees to share the reasons why they are proud to work for your company.

Coordinate L&D opportunities

In the eyes of many professionals, the active promotion of growth and development opportunities by their employer is an absolute must-have. Organizations that enable their workers to enroll in new courses, attend skill-building events, or take part in industry conferences will enable greater workplace success and reap the benefit of increased performance in the long-run.

Encourage volunteerism and community service

A trend that has become increasingly prevalent within the workplace in recent years is VTO, which stands for volunteer time off. These initiatives help organizations to serve and leave an impact on their communities. Popular examples of VTO efforts include building a house with Habitat for Humanity, spending time at a local food bank, or planning a cleanup of nearby waterways or parks. Not only will employees feel more connected to their communities, but they will also feel more connected to one another.

Promote a healthy work-life balance

This past year has taken its toll on our mental and emotional well-being. As many workers have taken on increased responsibilities in the workplace—along with managing at-home struggles—employees have quickly become overworked and overwhelmed. Enabling your workers to be happier, healthier, and more productive starts by supporting them outside of the work environment. Encourage them to use PTO days to take a break from their everyday hustle and bustle. Allow them to work on flexible schedules to support the needs of their children. These steps will show your talent that you care not just about their work performance, but about their personal health and well-being.

Recognize successes—even the small victories

To create a culture of positivity and success, organizations must reward their talent for their efforts. Whether you are publicly or privately recognizing a worker for their hard work, this will go a long way in boosting morale and making them feel part of a common cause. Always remember—a simple “thank you” can go a long way.

Promote from within

No employee wants to work for an organization with limited career growth or upward mobility. That’s why companies must be diligent about promoting deserving resources from within. By providing career advancement opportunities, employees will be motivated to work harder and earn that big-time promotion.

Summary

We hope these tips and strategies help bolster your talent retention efforts. Making a concerted effort to ensure that your employees remain satisfied in their roles and are motivated to perform at a high level will be critical to building a positive workplace culture. Ultimately, studies show that by investing in and rewarding your internal employees, your organization will benefit from greater business success.

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