You may think that your salary and benefits are what will retain your good employees. Instead, though, talented individuals who can head to your competitors just as easily as they can stay with you look for more than just the basics in their daily job.
Here are the 8 main things your best employees want to see in their working space.
1. Comfort mixed with functionality.
This depends on the main aspect of their job, but if your employees are sitting all day behind a desk, they want those chairs and desks to be ergonomically friendly and functional at the same time. Their health should not have to suffer because they want to earn a paycheck.
2. Clean, private restrooms.
When an employee has to travel multiple floors or hallways just to use the restroom, it deters them from going when they need to. This, in turn, causes serious and chronic health conditions and resentment.
3. Working, up-to-date technology.
That does not mean that you have to bring out state-of-the-art computers and touchscreen everything, but the technology that you do have should make your employees’ lives easier rather than more difficult. When crucial pieces of a technology break down, locks up, or runs slow all of the time, it makes it difficult for everyone to do their job.
4. A stocked kitchen.
Many companies offer a vending machine on site, but these are usually filled with unhealthy options that will only drag your staff’s productivity down when they inevitably crash after eating. Instead, stock your kitchen with healthy choices, like those found at AssociatedCoffee.com today and watch your employees’ morale and output skyrocket.
5. A bit of recreational opportunity.
Locked inside a box of four walls can be depressing for even the most optimistic employee. Instead of pushing the 9 to 5 grind without breaks, install an area in your building where a bit of fun can be had, and let employees take 10 to 15 minutes a day to let off steam and release their stress with an outside patio, a comfy couch to rest on, or even a pool table.
6. Eco-friendly choices.
Offering green recycling, lighting, office space, or even bicycle parking is a great incentive in this day of eco-conscious people. We all want to know we are doing our part to make the world a better place, so why not help your employees help the environment?
7. A comfortable temperature.
First it’s too hot, then it’s too cold, and eventually, your employees become miserable or sick. But how do you know what the right temperature is for your office when everyone’s internal thermostat is different?
According to the Occupational Health & Safety Administration, the optimal temperature to aim for is anywhere between 68 to 76 degrees. Anything more or less can cause moodiness, irritability, and sluggishness.
8. Natural lighting.
Being near windows or other forms of natural light increases the morale of your employees. They may not be able to be outside, but just the proximity to that lighting improves productivity.
Keep Your Employees Happy with the Little Things
Sure, salary and benefits are important. You need to be able to pay a living wage and offer benefits that will help keep your employees healthy. But the little things mean a lot to your staff. Small touches that are simple for you to show your employees that you appreciate them and can help keep your retention percentages high and turnover low.