What do your employees want? What do they value most?
It’s a question asked by executives and HR departments everywhere.
Some think it’s benefits. Some think it’s a stocked kitchen filled with
cabinets bustling with snacks. Others even think it’s a gaming system in the
break room or dare I say…a foosball table.
Well guess what. It’s none of those things.
Sure your employees appreciate the pretzels you keep in the
kitchen. And yes, everyone wants benefits like health, dental and vision. Maybe
there are even a few who revel in a heated lunchtime foosball tournament. But
at the end of the day, the overwhelming majority of your employees want one
thing.
Lean in close because I’m about to tell you exactly what it is…
Bells and whistles are “fun” but your employees would stay even if
there weren’t a video game console in the conference room. Plus, flexibility
spans generational lines; millennials, gen-x and baby boomers ALL want it. Here’s
what really matters to them.
John wants to be able to leave early once a week to coach his
son’s baseball practice.
Maria wants to come in late one day a month so she can take that
painting class she has always dreamed about.
Nadia wants to skip lunch and leave an hour earlier to beat
traffic and maybe make that 5pm spin class.
Sanjay has missed so many school plays that he just wants to be
able to attend school events when his kids are on that stage.
And Tara needs a little break from the office and could really
benefit from working from home 1-2 times a week.
That’s it folks. Your employees all have lives and obligations
outside of work. The easier you make if for them to strike that elusive
work-life balance thing, the more appreciative they will be. There’s a catch
though. You have to REALLY mean it. That translates to no passive aggressive
comments or sideways glances when you see John, Maria, Nadia, Sanjay and Tara
taking advantage of the flexibility you offer.
Something really interesting will happen if you follow through
with the promise of flexibility. Employees will all of a sudden have fewer
“dentist appointments” (I mean seriously, how many times can Phil see the
dentist in a 2 month period). With transparency and flexibility working
hand-in-hand, you will see a change in demeanor. You will see genuine
appreciation for what you offer. The end result is happier, more engaged
employees who probably don’t even want to play foosball at lunchtime.
Give it a try…you may just be amazed at the results. Tweet
@GMagenta and let me know what you offer your employees in terms of flexibility
in the workplace.
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