5 Ways to Retain Your Employees and Keep Them Happy

Pay raises, better benefits, and bonuses are a few ways to put a smile on your employee's face, but these events are usually yearly rewards.

So, what do you do? How do you retain good employees throughout the year?

There's good news: Studies show that employees value appreciation and involvement with the business more than they value money.

In today's economy, can this be true?

Yes. People need to make a living, but they also need to feel they are respected, valued, and some level of enjoyment from their job.

Whether you are the owner of the company or a member of the management team, here are five ways you can help to keep your employees happy.

Offer Educational Opportunities.

Tuition reimbursement is a nice perk, but there are other ways to support knowledge growth too. Consider these ideas:

- purchase subscriptions for trade magazines

- give time off of work to attend seminars or trade-show events (many of these have free admittance)

- find free on-line training courses that might expand their skills (such as those offered by Barnes & Noble University) and give them a break during the day to take them

- pay dues or association fees for trade organizations related their profession or industry

- put together an employee library with books donated by companies you do business with, executives, or other resources

- offer employees an incentive to teach other employees topics they are knowledgeable about

The possibilities for enhancing employee educations are endless and rewarding for all involved.

Establish Flexible Work Hours.

Do your employees really need to work 9 to 5? Mothers with children in school may be stressed in the morning trying to get their little ones on the bus and still beat the morning traffic into work. For example, an extra hour in the morning, allowing a start time of 10 am, would be a blessing and will help guarantee employee retention as the flexibility in hours will be a true benefit.

Work with the employees individually to see what might work best for them by first asking "what if" questions. For, example, "What if we were to offer flex time, would this be something you are interested in? What hours might be helpful to you?"

Once you have a base understanding of your staff's needs, you'll be able to implement a program that works for your business and for the employee.

Personalize the Workspace.

Some employees spend more time at work than they do at home, especially when over-time is involved. Encourage employees to be comfortable at work by providing some of the comforts of home, such as microwaves, coffee makers, snacks, comfortable chairs in the break room, lotion and potpourri in the bathrooms, bulletin boards for employees to display pictures and information that may not be work related, like recipes and invites.

If employees have workspaces, lockers, or break rooms-encourage them to decorate them with personal themes. You may wish to set guidelines for this practice, but it will still be well appreciated. Purchase clip on lighting fixtures where needed, buy candy and bowls for each desk, or add a few plants to the office to help punch up the personal spaces. At holiday time, hold contests for the best decorated locker or desk.

By giving the employees the ability to have a say in their environment, you will instill the message that the company cares for them as individuals.

Conduct Quarterly Reviews.

Most people dread their year end review, looking forward only to finding out how much of a raise might be involved. Change the process and encourage employees throughout the year. Don't make your employees wait to hear your positive feedback. Meet with them quarterly (or even monthly) to give them similar feedback as you will at their year end review.

At the same time, use the quarterly meetings as a way to solicit feedback from your employee. Find out what is working for them and what is not. Find out what areas they are struggling with and get them help before it affects their year end progress.

When you get to the year end review, there should be little surprise on either end and pay raises, or lack of. You will have also built a comfortable environment in which to present the review and a good rapport with the employee.

Focus on Employee Health.

If your company has a fitness center, give employees a weekly pass to take an extra hour to use it. Allow them to use the pass when it's convenient for them and when it does not conflict with their duties.

If you do not have a fitness center, consider negotiating a group plan at a local center for employee use.

Also, invite local hospital or health care providers to visit and speak on various health topics, or offer screenings, literature, and possibly free services or consultations.

Healthy employees are happier and more productive employees.