Back in the 20th century, there was a clear difference between work and life. What you did to earn income and what interested you weren’t always associated together.
But, today, life is pushing back! Recently, there has been an increased focus on happiness at work among employees. They may change jobs often and encounter unexpected twists and turns, but personal satisfaction within a job is just as important as the job’s salary for today’s employees.
And with the rise of mobile technology, work is no longer confined to the office. New technologies and software allow employees to be “on” anytime, anywhere. But even though technology has offered great advantages, it has allowed work to infiltrate employees’ lives, keeping them connected to work 24/7.
In addition, employees today are more diverse than ever. They are no longer easily defined by generational categories like “Millennial,” “Gen X,” or “Boomer.” Instead, employees want to be recognized as the unique individuals that they are. They want faster recognition and direct compensation for their efforts. And they want to be a part of something bigger besides just “having a job” and “making money.”
In light of this “blended life,” employees are looking to achieve harmony, which is the experience of a work-life relationship that supports their life goals. When this work-life relationship is “in harmony,” employees become empowered in their personal relationships, as well as in their financial and career goals. In order to aid employees in their quest for harmony, employers must adopt an “employee-first” mentality and proactively provide solutions based on their needs.
Here are 5 ways employers can meet employees where they are:
1. Offer a breadth of employee benefit options.
The definition of “employee benefits” has expanded beyond “health insurance”. Today’s employers have to offer flexibility, custom tailored and diverse offerings. By offering a wide range, employers can help alleviate the anxiety that comes with the integration of work-life and home-life.
2. Deliver digital and tailored solutions.
With the rise of mobile technology, companies must embrace HR technology to adapt and disseminate their information. Doing so will help an increasingly diverse workforce find the assurance and security it’s looking for.
3. Provide access to the right information.
When employees have access to the right information on their terms, it ensures they can get the info they need to meet their objectives. This places additional demands on the HR team, who must engage vendors to deliver timely and clear information regarding benefits, policies, and payroll, compliance and workplace procedures.
4. Focus on creating an engaging company culture.
Time and dollars spent on creating culture will be returned exponentially. So, companies that engage their teams, create synergistic opportunities beyond the softball team, and support employee engagement will thrive in retaining and attracting talent.
5. Tie compensation to performance.
When compensation is tied to performance, employees will best be able to recognize their role in the growth and success of their organization. This will enable them to discover the immense value of their workplace and benefits. As a result, their appreciation will enhance their loyalty and commitment to the company.
Companies that embrace this new way of thinking and utilize HR technology to bring employee engagement into the 21st century will thrive in a challenging and changing business world. Contact CorpStrat to learn how our “21st Century” strategies can revolutionize your business.