It’s become a popular offering to attract candidates in a hyper-competitive job market: providing hybrid or remote work options. But what if your organization can’t do that? Are you out of luck?
Employers in a variety of industries are facing that challenge. From manufacturers to retail outlets, and restaurants to hospitality businesses, among others, being on site is a requirement for employees. And there’s no question that adds another obstacle with which hiring managers have to contend.
Fortunately, there are ways for those companies to appeal to potential candidates. It requires being creative, but it’s doable. Here are some suggestions to sweeten the pot for employees when working from home is not an option.
Flexibility. Can you allow employees to be flexible on the start and/or end times to their workday? For parents who need to get children off to school, or pick them up afterward, starting later or finishing earlier might be just what the doctor ordered.
Shorter work weeks. Is it possible to adjust the schedule to allow 4-day work weeks? Perhaps half the team works Mondays, the other half works Fridays, and the full staff is in the rest of the week. Having a long weekend every weekend is an enticing benefit.
Summer hours. What about structuring work hours so the organization can close by noon or 1 pm on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day? With advance notice and planning for emergencies, customers can still be well served.
Training. Most employees want to stay up-to-date on skills, and they appreciate an employer’s investment in training and professional development opportunities. Best of all, it’s a win-win as the company also benefits from a better-prepared workforce.
Special perks. Is providing breakfast or lunch for employees once a week possible? That’s a great way to show them you recognize their efforts, and it also enables your company to support other community businesses. Or, consider providing gas cards for a job well done; with the current price of gasoline, they would be especially welcome!
Appreciation. This is so simple, but too often employers fail to appreciate their employees. It can be as easy as saying “thank you” for excellent work. When employees feel valued, they’re more apt to be productive and stay with you for the long haul.
Offering a competitive salary and benefits is critical, of course. But there are many innovative approaches that can work wonders for attracting and keeping top talent amid the current environment. Need help identifying and implementing those strategies? Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started!
