Many business owners get started, in part, because of a desire to contribute to the society around them, and to create lasting value for the people they work alongside. Contrary to conventional wisdom in some sections of the media, business owners aren’t entirely motivated by profit and consumption.
At the same time, there are rational, profit-focused reasons to treat your colleagues and employees with respect, and to go out of your way to make them feel valued and happy. Go the extra mile for your employees, and they might be more inclined to return the favour a little further down the line.
But recognising this is just the beginning. You’ll also need to know exactly what going the extra mile looks like, and what kinds of support your staff are actually looking for. Let’s take a look at a few steps worth taking.
Create a workplace where people feel valued
If you value your staff, then you’ll need to let them know about it. The first way you’ll do this is with the money you pay them each month. When staff are chronically underpaid, and they can find a better offer elsewhere, they’ll tend to jump ship – in many cases, without giving you a chance to make a counteroffer.
But there’s more to making an employee feel appreciated than simply offering more money. You’ll also want to make sure that they can raise complaints about their working environment, and that those complaints will be taken seriously. It might be that a few simple adjustments can provide more value than a lot of remuneration. Training and career progression matter a great deal, too.
Looking after the physical and mental health of your workforce will help them to remain not only more productive, but also more motivated, too. You’ll get long-term commitment and energy, of the kind that can’t be overvalued.
Support staff with practical benefits that make everyday work easier
In many cases, the equipment and facilities you provide can make a significant difference to working life. For example, a worker at a desk might enjoy the ability to raise and lower that desk according to the time of day. The provision of the right PPE might make a difference to outdoor workers, too. Heated work clothes can make a big difference, particularly during winter.
At the same time, you might look to adapt working hours, so that your workers can more easily fit their other commitments around their work-related ones.
Put health, safety and well-being at the centre of company culture
Health and safety are something that every business in the country should be concerned with. This means not only reacting to risks as they emerge, but proactively seeking them out before they have a chance to cause harm. Having a plan in place for regular risk assessment, which includes considering the local climate and weather, is essential.
Strengthen recruitment and retention through a people-first reputation
When you’re genuinely committed to the welfare of your people, word will tend to get around. You’ll provide a more attractive proposition to would-be recruits, which will make you more competitive in the labour market. Construction is an industry that’s notorious for placing a strain on its workers, and any step you can take to lighten the load is sure to be appreciated – and widely recognised.
