5 Ways Companies Can Please Their Employees

Some of the most successful businesses work hard to keep their employees happy. Even with the weakened economy where jobs are getting more difficult to come by, retaining employees still remains a challenge for some companies. But businesses can work at pleasing their employees, which in turn will lead to increased productivity and lower turnover rates. Here are five ways that can help.

1. Implement a BYOD Policy

Many companies are moving to implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. This is where employees use their own smartphones, tablets or laptops for business instead of a companied-supplied device. This option works for many companies where employees prefer to perform their job-related duties on their own devices because they are more familiar and comfortable with them.

A BYOD policy, like those offered by BlackBerry, also allows employees to work remotely instead of in a cubicle for eight or more hours a day. Companies that can figure out how to implement this policy without compromising personal or business documents or data can count on having happier employees.

2. Go Green

More businesses today are embracing environmentally safe practices, which are not only saving them money, but also creating a competitive advantage. Going green in an office can include:

• Allowing employees to telecommute to save on gas.
• Utilizing email and other digital means to communicate instead of printing out memos and notes from a meeting.
• Using power-saving computer chips to save on electricity.
• Switching to green cleaning supplies, which help employees with respiratory conditions.

3. Offer Workplace Flexibility

Successful businesses thrive on pleasing their employees, and one of the biggest trends in recent years is offering them workplace flexibility. This usually includes flex time and telecommuting, both of which provide a more stable work-life balance. Flexibility provides an environment of trust and holds workers more accountable.

Employers offering more flexible vacation time and sick days, as well as informal, after work social events, signals that the employees are valued in the workplace environment. It also makes them responsive to change.

4. Recognize Outstanding Employees

Employers can ensure a positive and productive work environment by prioritizing employee recognition. This appreciation is provided to say thank you for a job well-done and to encourage more of the same. Employees who feel appreciated are more positive about themselves and their ability to contribute to the successful business.

Employee recognition is scarce in many jobs because employers are unaware of exactly how to provide it effectively. If need be, put a policy in place outlining employee goals and a plan of action for this type of recognition.

5. Create a Welcoming Work Environment

A pleasant office environment prevents anxiety and stress and enhances communication and positive attitudes. All this in turn leads to greater employee optimism and productivity:

• Keep all areas of the office safe and clean.
• Provide a location in which the employees can take a break and eat.
• Pipe in soothing music during working hours.
• Managers and bosses should be energetic and positive, which sets the tone for everyone else in the office.
• Managers and bosses should institute an open-door policy.
• Have a zero tolerance policy on the books for discrimination and tolerance.
• Celebrate employees from time to time with treats and after-work or lunchtime social events.

These are just a few of the many ways companies can do more to please their employees.