8 Things Employees Want
1.Appreciation
Praise
heads the list for many workers, and it
doesn't cost the employer anything to provide it. A sincere thank
you or a short note can mean a great deal.
2.
Respect
Again there is no cost
and a big payback. Respect plays out in letting people know that their work
is appreciated, in treating them like adults, and in being fair in your
dealings with them.
3.
Trust
Trust is
the action side of respect. People need guidance, but they need to know that
their boss trusts them to be able to get a job done on their own.
4.
Individual Growth
Today's
workers-especially the Gen Y group-want training, want to take on new
challenges, and want to advance based on their new abilities. Giving a raise
without increasing responsibilities could actually backfire. As one expert
says, if you give more money to an unhappy employee, you end up with a
wealthier unhappy employee.
5. Good
Boss
People
don't leave companies, they leave bosses.
6.
Compatible Co-workers
Working
with people you enjoy is also very important. Spending the day-every day-with
people you don't like does not make for a productive workplace.
7.
Compatible Culture
Employees want a work environment that fits their needs. That could mean
hard-driving, high paying, or it could mean high flexibility and significant
attention to work/life balance.
8. A
Sense of Purpose
People
want to know that they are contributing to something worthwhile. They need to
know what the organization's core purpose is and what it is trying to
achieve. And then they need to know how their particular job fits into the
whole.
