If there’s one thing the global pandemic has done for the workforce, it’s given us time to reflect. With the great resignation in full swing, many employees are re-evaluating their careers and shifting their priorities leaving many employers wondering, “what do employees want?”
Although many might assume salary is the biggest factor driving employee happiness, they may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t even make the top 5.
Below we outline five of the leading factors for employee satisfaction in the workplace.
The Top 5 Factors for Employee Happiness
1. Appreciation and Recognition
Studies show that employees who feel appreciated and see the impact of their work are happier in the workplace than those who do not. Small gestures such as buying an employee lunch, or saying thank you via email to the team can be great avenues to show appreciation and lift morale.
2. Positive Working Relationships with Colleagues
It’s no secret that positive working relationships with your colleagues can make your job more enjoyable. Healthy work relationships lead to more productivity, increased employee retention, and you guessed it – higher employee satisfaction.
3. Healthy Work-Life Balance
With increasingly more Americans suffering burnout, a healthy work-life balance is becoming more important for employee retention and happiness. Offering additional benefits such as increased paid time-off and flexible working hours can reduce stress, increase productivity, and aid in attracting and retaining talented employees.
4. Professional Development
One of the top factors individuals consider when searching for a new job is the opportunity for career advancement. Investing in your employees’ careers through additional training, certifications, education and pathways for promotion can provide satisfaction, fulfillment and increase their incentive to remain with the company long-term.
5. Positive Relationships with Management
It’s often said that you shouldn’t look for a good job, you should look for a good boss. This statement lends truth to our final factor of employee happiness. Teams that have a healthy and positive working relationship with their manager have been proven to be more productive, have better communication and trust, and have increased morale.
As employers are competing to recruit the top talent in their industry, we expect to see many begin adapting their approach to include many of the above factors to offer a more competitive employment package to potential candidates.
About Congruence Talent Solutions
Our team of experts offers decades of experience and knowledge to connect high-caliber candidates with strategic opportunities for career advancement within our corporate partner firms.
At Congruence Talent Solutions, we know that trust and discretion are of the utmost importance, and have a deep and abiding commitment to protect your privacy throughout the placement process, whether direct or contract.
Click here to learn more about career opportunities with Congruence Talent Solutions.