One of the biggest misconceptions about employment is that a higher salary is the only way to improve performance and boost job satisfaction. While employees will gladly accept a bonus or raise in pay, it is important for employers to know that money is not what employees want most from their jobs.

If money isn’t the answer… what is the secret to giving employees what they want? Identifying the underlying factors that drive satisfaction is key to boost retention and help with future growth and development. Here are a few things that employees really want:

1. Employees Want to Feel a Sense of Responsibility

People want to feel like their daily activities matter. If someone is looking to make a difference in the world, then they need to feel a sense of responsibility for the way their actions impact business efforts.

Give them the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. Work together as a team to create momentum and produce results. Then, always share credit where it is due for the work that was accomplished by individuals and team effort.

2. Employees Want Work-Life Balance

Spending too many hours in the office will take a toll at home. At the same time, it can be drudgery if a person doesn’t feel needed in the office.

Offer Paid Time Off, sick time, and flex hours to encourage employees to manage their home responsibilities without sacrificing the time that they need to spend on the job.

It is common for work projects to ebb and flow, and you should give employees the flexibility to spend more time with their families during the slow season.

3. Employees Want Recognition

It is demoralizing to put a lot of time and effort into a project, only to have the recognition go to a manager or someone else on the team. Failing to give recognition could make someone feel like their work isn’t valued, leading to low morale and high turnover.

Instead of only offering constructive criticism, look for opportunities to provide positive feedback and praise for a job well done. Consider implementing a program to handle employee performance management to maximize your ability to recognize employees and develop your internal talent pool.

4. Employees Want a Modern Workplace

People are tired of the old-fashioned cubicles and boring workplace. Now, companies are attracting top talent by providing a variety of options and environments for employees to work. Conference rooms, lounges, and standing workstations are all examples of how people can move around the office throughout the day.

Technology has made it possible for people to step away from a desk and still stay connected. Give them the freedom to wander with a good laptop and strong WiFi connection throughout the building.

5. Employees Want to Work from Home

The work from home industry is growing and expanding, with many people focusing on positions that allow them to stay in the comfort of their own home.

Even if you don’t have full-time work from home positions, consider giving employees the option to work from home once or twice a week if the job allows.

6. Employees Want Perks and Benefits

It is amazing to see how much leverage a company can get by offering the right benefits and perks. Little motivators can go a long way to boost productivity and encourage people to optimize their efforts.

For example, consider offering incentive trips for performance, or hand out gift cards during promotional periods. A restaurant gift card can be a great way to boost someone’s mood and help them feel like a valued part of the team.

7. Employees Want Opportunities for Growth

Many people find it hard to be motivated when they feel stagnant in their job. Offer opportunities for growth so that employees can see a pathway up the career ladder.

If your company offers the chance for employees to focus on improvement and skill expansion, then it increases the likelihood that the person will stay with the company instead of looking for another job.

8. Employees Want Open Communication

Do your employees feel like they are heard when they share their ideas or concerns? Ignoring what someone has to say will crush employee morale and have a negative impact on company culture.

If you want someone to feel important and valued, make sure to give them your full attention during the conversation. Then, follow through with the results of the meeting to help the person see that you considered their input.

VensureHR helps you enhance your workplace to boost retention and employee satisfaction. Talk to us to learn more about the easy steps you can follow to implement changes and offer what employees want from their job.