Meeting
Employee Work Expectations: Keys for Minimizing Turnover
Workforce experts estimate that the cost of replacing a worker is 1.5 times the annual salary of the worker. To minimize your turnover costs and maintain a productive workplace, employers need to look beyond the salary and benefits.
Work can be a satisfying and positive experience for your employees when
their work expectations are being met. Salary and benefits are the obvious
compensations that an employee expects from his or her employer, but there
are a host of immaterial things that can provide job satisfaction. Whether
you, as an employer, are considering a new hire or trying to retain current
employees, there are four key factors that can help make work a positive
experience.
Environment
Many employees expect a pleasant work environment. No one wants to wake up
each morning dreading going to work. Do your workers prefer a low-stress
environment that has a social atmosphere? Perhaps you should consider
assigning projects that require teamwork and personal interaction. However,
different personalities expect different types of work environments. Some
people work better under pressure and welcome the opportunity to be
challenged. Giving workers the opportunity to express their ideas in a
workplace that emphasizes results over personal relationships may give them
satisfaction.
Structure vs. Independence
Structure is an integral part of the workplace for some employees. Perhaps
they like to know that certain resources are available to them. Providing
workers with specific timelines, procedures, or guidelines may be beneficial
to them when completing a project or problem-solving. Some people, however,
expect to work independently. They may want to set their own priorities or
use their methods of problem-solving. Granting freedom to take on new
responsibilities or to streamline current procedures might be a way to keep
your employees happy.
Work vs. Personal Life
Most employees expect a certain balance between work and personal life. They
have commitments outside of work and feel that work should not distract them
from fulfilling those commitments. Assure your employees that you understand
their commitment to their families and other activities. Let them know that
work will not interfere with their personal life, but also that you expect
high standard of job performance.
Career Growth
Having a career is important to many people in today’s society. If your
employees enjoy their job, invest a lot of time and effort, and succeed at
it, they probably expect to get rewarded. The reward doesn’t always have to
be monetary; sometimes a new job title, increased responsibility, or other
incentives will provide the positive reinforcement they desire.
Career-minded employees probably want to gain new experiences and increase
their set of job skills, making themselves more marketable to other
employers. Making sure your employees know there are opportunities for
advancement may keep them satisfied and keep them with your company.
Once you have identified the things that can make work a positive experience
for your employees, you must keep the lines of communication open. Your
employees may never be satisfied in their current positions if their work
expectations are not met. As an employer, you understand the high cost of
employee turnover. If you want to retain your employees, learn what their
work expectations are and do what you can to increase their job
satisfaction, making work a positive experience.
About the Author