5 Ways to Boost Employee Satisfaction in the Workplace

Companies with a strong focus on workplace satisfaction generally enjoy far greater staff productivity. Engaged, motivated employees are more likely to please clients or customers and contribute to building a positive workplace culture. You don’t necessarily have to offer big pay packets to keep workers happy. Consider working on these other staff priorities.

1.   Assess your current company culture

You can’t make improvements if you don’t know what’s wrong. That’s why it’s important to assess every aspect of workplace culture to see what needs fixing. Employee satisfaction surveys are a great way to measure morale by tapping into worker’s concerns. Questions in your first survey can cover broad issues including overall job satisfaction, work-life balance, opportunities for training and career progression, interpersonal relationships and manager expectations. Subsequent surveys can then drill down into identified problem areas. Keep asking questions until you uncover the real challenges holding your organisation back.

2.   Be proactive with your response

Once you know where the problems lie, don’t hold back. Now’s the time to work on building a more inclusive, connected workforce where staff feel valued for their input. No workplace can thrive without clear, constructive and friendly communication. Take steps to improve the way workers relate to each other. This can include everything from team building programs and brainstorming sessions to making the kitchen more comfortable and user-friendly – a place where staff can enjoy hanging out.

3.   Practice being a productive leader

If you don’t have natural leadership qualities, don’t despair. There’s a lot you can do to help employees feel secure in the workplace. Seek constant feedback on the way staff members feel about daily tasks and routines. Let them know your door is always open and give constructive feedback on working more smartly. Also give plenty of credit when employees excel. It’s always advisable to share the good news. Employees thrive when the boss genuinely acknowledges their achievements rather than just pointing out their failings.

4.   Manage your people better

The best managers have a deep understanding of what makes people tick. They know the importance of open communication, empathy, constructive criticism, goal-setting and time management when interacting with staff. Don’t be tempted to micro-manage your workers. Play to their strengths by allowing staff members to use their specialist skills. Be encouraging. Offer staff the resources they need to carry out their jobs well and continue to improve their performance.

5.   Employ the right mix of candidates

The right blend of employees in terms of skills, experience and diversity goes a long way when building a happy, cohesive workplace. Knowing what traits to look for is vital when interviewing new candidates.

We help identify and source sector employees who fit your culture and bring their own unique talents. If you have a recruitment need, please contact one of our experienced consultants.