Are You A Good Employer? Here are the Skills You Need

Less than six months ago, a comprehensive study found that over 50% of the American workforce were unhappy in their jobs. As an employer, this statistic makes for grim reading; unhappy employees won’t be motivated to give their best to you or your clients, or to stay on and progress through the company. Recruiting and training people is expensive, which means that losing them for preventable reasons is a waste few businesses can afford. So, how can you ensure that as an employer you’re doing a good job? Are you working to create a sense of belonging? Does your staff feel as though you truly care about their well-being? What else does it take to be a truly good employer?

Protecting your people

Perhaps the most important responsibility you have as an employer is to keep your people safe. From being compliant with relevant health and safety legislation to planning a work environment that’s accessible and puts employee well-being first, this is one area that must be prioritized. The importance of this priority is demonstrated by the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows that 2.8 million non fatal workplace injuries and illnesses were recorded by private industry employers in 2018. Aside from your legal obligations, if your employees feel safe and well-cared for, they will be able to perform their roles more confidently and effectively. Make sure that you have in place a well-planned worker’s comp insurance policy, which can protect your employees and your business from any medical expenses or unforeseen consequences of a workplace accident or injury.

Helping your people to grow

A 2019 study by LinkedIn found that as many as 94% of employees would stay at a company if it invested in helping them to grow and learn more. Providing your employees with opportunities, training and time for study is a valuable way to improve morale and retention, not to mention creating an even more highly skilled workforce. By building a reputation for encouraging and rewarding study and development, you can soon attract talent and build a name for investing in people.

Connecting with your people

One of the most important aspects of being a good employer is how you communicate with your employees and how you encourage them to respond. Being clear about your values and goals, and setting clear expectations, ensures that staff can understand where you’re coming from, and how they need to perform. Remember, it’s a two-way process; being open to feedback and suggestions is also a mark of effective leadership. One study found that employees who feel heard are nearly five times more likely to perform their best at work. You may not choose to implement every suggestion made, but listening to your employees is extremely valuable and might just provide an insight that you would otherwise have missed.

Every employer wants to build an effective, productive business, and your people are at the heart of that success. To be great at what you do, you need to ensure that employees are protected, encouraged to grow, and communicated with clearly and positively. In return, you should see improved loyalty, enthusiasm, and commitment — a win for everyone involved.