We would like to share our experience on how to get happier and thus better employees. It is important to give all employees some space – which can mean very different things depending on the individual. To support HR departments with this task, there are digital solutions which offer a holistic approach. We show you what to look for.
Motivated employees with lots of self-initiative make your company what it should be. The question is: How do you achieve this?
1. Let them have your feedback
By providing thoughtful, constructive feedback, you can help your employees achieve personal growth and better results in the future. They will greatly appreciate it, if you go about it in the right way.
There are very different ways to give feedback:
Besides, you can establish a digital feedback culture that can take the form of:
The advantage of digital feedback is that it is not limited to one or two superiors, but can be given by a lot of people, which, as far as our experience shows, increases acceptance. For 1:1 feedback, the problem is often that areas for improvement, strengths and weaknesses may be interpreted personally.
2. No micromanagement
Let your employees do their work. Sometimes this means that people make mistakes and learn from them. Micromanagement can affect morale and reduce the productivity of both the manager and the employees. You will be surprised what people can achieve if you give them a little space.
You can also support this using digital tools:
Why not have your employees take auto-approved leave, for example up to three days?
3. Be flexible
Reconciling work and private or family life is crucial for a contented workforce. Be generous with free time and show understanding when planning work schedules. A mother or father might be happy to stay late one day if it means being able to leave early the next day to watch their daughter’s match. Motivation and job satisfaction increase when employees have enough time for their private life – and that is beneficial to the working atmosphere as well. Your employee retention will be higher if you also offer different working time models, and sick leave is proven to be reduced if employees identify with their company and feel at ease.
You can also support this using digital tools:
Employees plan their vacation with family and friends. Vacation leave is usually approved according to specific rules, yet approvals often take a long time. If your software supports it, your employees can also book their vacation on Sunday noon, just when they are sitting together with their family planning it.
4. Get to know your workforce
Do you remember your employees’ or their childrens’ birthdays? Do you talk to your employees about their interests, hobbies or where their children go to school? It is much easier for employees to hand in their notice if they see the boss as a mean, faceless stranger. Retain your employees by getting to know their private situation and being able to relate to it. You don’t have to become best friends, but if one of your employees has a child who needs special care and who regularly has to be taken to the doctor for a check-up during working hours, you can understand their situation and find ways to reconcile it with their job. If you don't know about it, there is a lot of room for speculation and misunderstanding.
You can also support this using digital tools:
Have your employees’ events sent to your mobile phone every day. That way, you won’t forget an employee’s or colleague’s birthday when you then meet them later that day.
5. Be transparent
Transparency is the enemy of distrust. Transparency is crucial for trust relationships and successful cooperation. Openness is the basis for understanding.
You are in the same boat as your employees. For this reason, they should be informed about company matters in a transparent manner, in good and bad times alike. When employees are able to take into account all aspects, they are more likely to commit to the company. Office grapevine, which takes up a lot of working time, will be silenced, too – and uncertainties will be eliminated. Employees should always feel that they can come to you with their concerns and questions. Be approachable and open to your employees!
Only happy employees are willing to be better employees.
