What do employees value most at work nowadays?

Undeniably, businesses’ expectations are significant for potential hires, which is understandable, given that they seek to build a team of dependable individuals to help them achieve their goals. But what about the expectations that workers have for companies? In the past few years, many people have left their jobs due to reasons like little opportunity for advancement, low pay, and so on.

The truth is that times are changing, and there is a noticeable shift in what workers now want from employers. In order to remain competitive and attract talented individuals, businesses should pay attention to these expectations and create a positive company culture. Let’s further take a look at the key things that employees value the most when looking for a new position at an organisation.

Employee well-being

While physical and mental well-being has always been vital for employees, this aspect has gained more attention after the COVID-19 pandemic. 9 out of 10 workers consider well-being an essential factor that will determine whether they can thrive at a company or not. As a result, businesses should make this a priority to curb employee churn and get many other benefits that exceed retention. When organisations put well-being at the forefront of their operations, it makes employees feel like their happiness and health truly matter. In fact, companies have a duty of care to their employees, and if they breach it (namely if workers suffer an accident due to employers’ negligence), they may be sued for compensation. Nowadays, employees are more aware of their rights, and it’s easier than ever to seek legal support if needed. For instance, on https://www.howmuchcompensation.co.uk/, individuals can find advice on compensation claims. Obviously, no company would ever want to suffer legal consequences only because they didn’t correctly take care of their team.

However, businesses shouldn’t see employee well-being as just a moral obligation but also as an effective strategy that will result in better productivity, enhanced retention rates and increased job satisfaction. If workers feel valued, their work performance will likely be better, so it makes sense to put your employees first.  

Strong benefits package

Sure, workers care more than ever about finding purpose in their jobs, but truth be told, purpose alone isn’t enough to help you have a fulfilled life – you also need to be financially healthy. At the end of the day, job stability, solid workplace relationships and meaningful work won’t cover your daily expenses. So, unsurprisingly, workers also seek an excellent benefits package, and if they can’t find it at your company, they won’t hesitate to look elsewhere. According to this study, more than half of people who quit their jobs do so because they aren’t satisfied with their salary. So, if you want to attract and retain top talent, you must offer competitive pay.

It’s worth noting that the cost of living is higher, so typically, workers are now asking for higher pay to live comfortably. However, they don’t just look for a high salary but also consider the whole benefits package. This means they don’t just look at pay but also find value in choosing a role with good paid time off and good health and wellness benefits. Moreover, companies have recently offered counselling services to employees as part of their well-being strategy. So, companies should consider their current benefits package and ask themselves whether their services fit today’s workers’ needs. If not, they may want to improve it, as this could be the key factor differentiating them from other businesses.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance may sound like a buzzword, but to employees, it’s about more than that. While being paid well definitely matters, ultimately, money won’t bring happiness if you no longer have time to enjoy your life. This is why workers are putting work-life balance at the top of their priorities when seeking a role in a company. Fortunately, there are different ways to meet employees’ expectations about work-life balance, and remote and hybrid work are great to provide them with the flexibility they seek, allowing them to balance out responsibilities and personal needs. Moreover, instead of focusing on employees’ work hours, you should care more about their output.

Also, to take things one step further, employers can make even more impactful changes by reconfiguring time off and allowing employees to take breaks whenever needed as a way to prioritise their mental health. Many businesses are now realising the benefits of adopting the four-day work model while offering employees the same salaries. While some companies may find this counterintuitive, it has been shown to boost employee productivity and result in higher job satisfaction and better work-life balance.

Growth opportunities

Today’s employees also look for opportunities to grow professionally – they do not want to feel stuck in a job that is too repetitive and doesn’t allow them to evolve in any way. Hence, it is employers’ responsibility to help upskill employees to reach their full potential. Fortunately, there are many ways to address this and make a difference in employees’ careers. For example, you can provide training, offer them classes, or pay for further education. You can also promote from within as a way to show that you care about their professional development.

Another thing you can do is facilitate mentorship opportunities for your employees – this technique is effective when developing in-house talent, allowing workers to hone vital skills. Mentorship programs can be formal or more casual and can be organised as one-to-one or one-to group, and they will not only help employees grow in their profession but can also save organisations money in the long run.

The bottom line

As you can see, employees expect more from companies nowadays, so business leaders should listen to what they want to thrive and remain competitive. When you put your employees’ needs first, there will only be wins for your organisation. Although managing employees’ expectations may require effort initially, it will undoubtedly pay off in the long run, as it will help create a positive working environment where individuals can thrive.