We've come a long way from the traditional workplace culture of a few decades ago. The workplace dynamics today have transformed. Back in the day, the only thing that mattered was the business, and employers would push their employees past their limits to achieve the desired results. Back then, the employees were mostly unhappy with their jobs, burned out to the core, and frustrated in every sense.
However, the workplace environment we see today is something you couldn't have imagined a decade ago. The employees appear happy and satisfied with their jobs. Not only that, they feel obliged to give their employees the most they can without their employers having to impose anything on them.
What changed? What made the employees go from gloomy to the animated bunch we see today?
It's the employer mindset and business approach! The businesses are no longer business-centric today, but the focus has shifted to the employees. The employee-centric approach has helped employers gain employee trust and loyalty, and that's what's assisting businesses to flourish today!
It took a little too many years for employers to realize that their employees are the driving force that keeps the business going, and if they aren't happy, there's not much hope for a business in the long run.
If you want to know in detail how employee centricity can benefit you, this is just the place to be. This blog post highlights the benefits of making your workplace employee-centric.
What Do Happy and Satisfied Employees Mean for the Business?
You may want to know how making your workplace employee-centric can benefit you and the business. Well, you may be surprised to know what employee centricity could mean for you.
Employees working in an employee-centric environment are happier and more satisfied. The happier the employees are, the better it is for you.
Let's look into detail what happy employees in an employee-centric workplace mean for the business.
Employees are More Committed
When an employee knows that their employer considers their well-being important and takes the necessary steps to ensure the employees have everything they need, they'll be naturally inclined to give the employer back more than they receive. Knowing that their employer is doing everything it takes to ensure their satisfaction and Well-being at work makes employees work with more commitment and dedication. They put not only their time and effort into their work but also their heart and soul to ensure they deliver the best possible results.
Employees Engage More
Another benefit of ensuring employee happiness and satisfaction by making your workplace employee-centric is the active engagement of employees. When employees know all their concerns will be addressed and their needs will be met, they'll be more engaged with fellow workers and their management more actively to ensure the timely delivery of tasks. Not only this, but higher employee engagement also means quicker solutions to challenges and problems and fewer hiccups at work.
Better Communication
Happier employees communicate better with their managers and coworkers. One thing that comes in the way of effective communication is the sense that what an employee says to the management won't matter. However, when employees know that the management will do their possible best to fulfill any needs or address any concerns raised by the employees, the employees will be more comfortable and confident in voicing their requirements and concerns. They'll know that even if their requirements aren't fulfilled, the management will offer alternatives that will serve more or less the same purpose. Effective communication means fewer delays and better results at the end of the day.
Employees will Work Harder to Satisfy Customers
If an employee isn't happy at work, they can't really stand up for their employer. If a customer raises a concern, the employee won't be willing to go the extra mile to satisfy the customer because they don't have their heart for the job. However, employees working in an employee-centric workplace are more dedicated to their company and do their level best to satisfy and retain customers. When the customers receive exemplary customer service, they'll before satisfied with the services and stick to the company for future endeavors too.
Higher Profits and Business Growth
Happy employees will work harder, with utmost dedication. This will ensure top-quality results. Happy employees are the most productive. Higher productivity and efficiency mean the work will be done in less time without compromising quality. Higher quality results will mean better profits and growth for the business.
Making Your Workplace Employee-Centric
An employee-centric approach is definitely a game-changer. If you think you're losing employees and having a hard time retaining your old employees, it might be the right time to bring out some changes in your approach, mindset, and the way you do things around your workplace.
Making your workplace employee-centric isn't something you'll achieve overnight. It's a continuous process, and it'll take time for the employees to understand, acknowledge, and appreciate your efforts to make them feel good about their job.
Below are some ways to make your workplace more employee-centric and ensure your employees are truly happy at work.
Make an Effort to Understand Your Employees
The first and most important thing to make your employees feel valued and important is to make them feel that you understand them. Show empathy towards them and tell them you understand they're humans and not robots. Treating your employees like you treat your customers is one way to go about it. Just like you consider your customers' needs, opinions, and preferences, you should do the same for your employees.
To do this, you'll need to set up an effective communication channel through which employees can express what's on their minds. Not only that, you'll have to be highly responsive too. If you don't get back to your employees, they won't feel like they're being heard.
Offer Flexibility
Now that the remote working model has become common, you should offer your employees some flexibility. Give them an option if they want to work from the office or from home. You can set specific days in which you'll expect your employees to come to work for meetings or training if you think switching to a completely remote model would affect your relationship with your employees. Offering flexibility around whether the employees want to come to work or work from home and around the time they want to work will make employees comfortable and more productive. It'll make them feel that their comfort and preferences matter to you, and they'll work harder to deliver top-quality results.
Foster Psychological Safety
You're only losing their trust and respect if you tell your employees that they can be vocal about their concerns but humiliate them when they do. Employee-centric workplace means that the employees know that they won't be punished or humiliated for being open and vocal, and whatever they say will be used to improve the workplace. Psychological safety at the workplace is extremely important, and it's one of the prime elements of an employee-centric workplace.
Reward Your Employees Often
Just because an employee has been hired to do a certain job doesn't mean they don't expect any appreciation for doing it. Appreciating and rewarding your employees for their contribution to the business will make them feel valued and motivate them to do even better. The rewards could be monetary or anything out of the box, like a short trip, a fully sponsored family dinner, a shopping voucher, or anything that makes the employee feel important.
Ensure Employee Well-Being
One of the most effective ways of making your workplace employee-centric is by taking the necessary steps to ensure employee well-being. A common reason why employees quit their jobs is the lack of comfort and sense of safety at work. However, when employees know their health and safety is important and being worked on, they'll be more willing to stick around for longer.
Some of the ways of ensuring the health, safety, and well-being (physical and mental) of your employees are:
1. Provide employees with ergonomic furniture like an ergonomic desk and ergonomic chair so that they're absolutely comfortable at work. Ergonomic furniture like AlcoveRiser Standing Desk Converters M7 ensures the physical well-being of employees. When employees are comfortable at work, they'll be more active and productive, which will ensure the best results.
2. Design relaxing rooms in your office and encourage your employees to take breaks. Working continuously will tire them out, and this will affect their productivity and efficiency. Set up game rooms or spaces where employees can relax and unwind for a while before returning to their workstations.
3. Encourage employees to utilize the allotted leaves. Employee burnout is real, and it can really come in the way of their performance. When the employees know they can take the leaves assigned to them without their bosses making an issue out of it, they'll be able to relax their days off better, and when they return to work, they'll start with a fresh mind and replenished energy.
Closing Word
Organizations that have adopted an employee-centric approach are doing absolutely great. Putting your employees first is the key to retaining them for longer. The happier you're able to keep your employees, the better results they'll bring to your business.
