There are a lot of ingredients that go into making a business truly successful. However, one thing that you simply cannot overestimate the value of is the people in your business. Without them, even the best business idea in the world is nothing more than a pleasant fantasy. But it’s essential that you remember that your employees aren’t just a resource to be used. As an employer, you have a duty of care to them. With that in mind, here are some things you can do to make sure that you are taking the right care of your employees.
Show them your appreciation
Your employees are the reason that your business is a success. You may have started it, but they’re the ones in the trenches actually making it work. That means that you owe it to them to show your appreciation for all of the hard work that they do. There are plenty of ways that you can do this. Whether it’s looking out for holiday gifts for staff, offering bonuses during periods when they’re all working extra hard, or even providing them with extra time off here and there. Even something as simple as letting them know the results of all of their hard work can make a huge difference in letting them feel a little more appreciated.
Encourage an equal environment
We live in a more diverse world than ever before and that’s a wonderful thing. However, it’s something that many people are still adjusting to and it’s your duty as an employer to make sure that you’re facilitating everyone’s ability to feel comfortable and equal at work. You should have a zero tolerance policy on discrimination or mistreatment of any kind, whether that’s based on race, sex, ability, or any other factor. It can sometimes be hard to know the best way to respond to things which is why you need to make sure that you’re always keeping yourself well trained and informed.
Listen to them
You might be the one giving the orders most of the time, but it would be a mistake to assume that your employees don’t have a whole lot to contribute in terms of ideas for how to improve and develop your business. Having an open door policy when it comes to feedback or even a dedicated space to provide that feedback can help your employees not only improve your business but it helps them feel more directly involved in the decision making process.
None of this is to say that you shouldn’t expect a lot from your employees. However, too many employers treat the relationship between them and their employees as a one way street. If you only consider your employees in terms of what they can do for you, you’re going to foster a culture of resentment and there’s a good chance that your employee retention is going to plummet as a result. You should also treat your relationship with your employees as a matter of give and take.