Many people are saying that the hardest issue that travel companies will have to deal with in 2010 is not recruiting employees but keeping the ones they already have.
No one can afford to lose any of their great talent. Both 2008 and 2009 have been years where companies have fought a long and hard battle with the economy and after a number of downsizing moves that have put undue stress and pressure on their employees.
As the employment landscape begins to soften and jobs become more readily available, it will be very tempting for tired and stressed out employees to look for new and more rewarding jobs that will let them recoup some of their lost sleep and family awareness.
Employers need to remember that long-standing employees need some recognition and support for sticking with it during the economic downturn.
Here are some ways that an employer can ensure that they retain their employees through 2010 and beyond.
I know this may sound silly but make sure that your employees feel appreciated. You don’t need to institute an employee of the month award or anything like that, just reward them for a job well done with a thanks or a pat on the back. You would be surprised how well this works.
Vacations! After working their tails off for you, make sure that your employees take time off. This is the best way for them to feel that you care about their well-being and ensure that they can recharge their batteries.
Create a flexible work hours environment. Let’s face it, we all have to deal with issues outside of work and letting employees know that they can deal with the outside and still get their work done using a flexible schedule will show that you are a great employer.
Cross train your employees. People get bored of the same task day in and day out. Spice things up by making sure that your employees are well trained in other areas of your business. This will also help you in the long run when you are short in one area versus another.
Look for reasons to celebrate company accomplishments. Whether your company has closed a big deal or your development group met a deadline, make sure that everyone in the company is involved in the celebration. This keeps everyone pushing together as a team.
Promote an open-door culture where employees are encouraged to voice their concerns without fear of reprisals. It takes a strong management team to institute this idea but it helps keep everyone honest and creates trust within your company. Make sure your are fully engaged or the employees will see fight through you.
Make sure that there are advancement opportunities within your company. Employees are less likely to look elsewhere if they feel that they can grow within the company. Give them guidance and a time-line and they will most likely stick around.
Create a fun environment. Do your employees want to come to work? Are they engaged? What is your company’s culture? Make sure that you create a great place to work where things get done but people have a great time doing their given tasks. I am not saying to put in a pool table (one of my favs) but make sure that the atmosphere is great, not pressured or solemn.
Ownership! Make sure that employees have a chance to become owners of your company. What a great way to make sure that they stick around and also feel empowered to do what is right for their company.
Finally, learn from your mistakes. When you have lost great employees in the past, why did this happen and what can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We are all fallible but when we learn from our mistakes it helps us create a much better work environment.
Many people are saying that the hardest issue that travel companies will have to deal with in 2010 is not recruiting employees but keeping the ones they already have.
No one can afford to lose any of their great talent. Both 2008 and 2009 have been years where companies have fought a long and hard battle with the economy and after a number of downsizing moves that have put undue stress and pressure on their employees.
As the employment landscape begins to soften and jobs become more readily available, it will be very tempting for tired and stressed out employees to look for new and more rewarding jobs that will let them recoup some of their lost sleep and family awareness.
Employers need to remember that long-standing employees need some recognition and support for sticking with it during the economic downturn.
Here are some ways that an employer can ensure that they retain their employees through 2010 and beyond.
- I know this may sound silly but make sure that your employees feel appreciated. You don’t need to institute an employee of the month award or anything like that, just reward them for a job well done with a thanks or a pat on the back. You would be surprised how well this works.
- Vacations! After working their tails off for you, make sure that your employees take time off. This is the best way for them to feel that you care about their well-being and ensure that they can recharge their batteries.
- Create a flexible work hours environment. Let’s face it, we all have to deal with issues outside of work and letting employees know that they can deal with the outside and still get their work done using a flexible schedule will show that you are a great employer.
- Cross train your employees. People get bored of the same task day in and day out. Spice things up by making sure that your employees are well trained in other areas of your business. This will also help you in the long run when you are short in one area versus another.
- Look for reasons to celebrate company accomplishments. Whether your company has closed a big deal or your development group met a deadline, make sure that everyone in the company is involved in the celebration. This keeps everyone pushing together as a team.
- Promote an open-door culture where employees are encouraged to voice their concerns without fear of reprisals. It takes a strong management team to institute this idea but it helps keep everyone honest and creates trust within your company. Make sure your are fully engaged or the employees will see fight through you.
- Make sure that there are advancement opportunities within your company. Employees are less likely to look elsewhere if they feel that they can grow within the company. Give them guidance and a time-line and they will most likely stick around.
- Create a fun environment. Do your employees want to come to work? Are they engaged? What is your company’s culture? Make sure that you create a great place to work where things get done but people have a great time doing their given tasks. I am not saying to put in a pool table (one of my favs) but make sure that the atmosphere is great, not pressured or solemn.
- Ownership! Make sure that employees have a chance to become owners of your company. What a great way to make sure that they stick around and also feel empowered to do what is right for their company.
- Finally, learn from your mistakes. When you have lost great employees in the past, why did this happen and what can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We are all fallible but when we learn from our mistakes it helps us create a much better work environment.