A whopping 82 percent of Americans consider their coworkers to be more than that. They see their colleagues as friends, too.
Perhaps the vibes aren’t quite the same in your office. You want to come up with ways to improve employee relations so that everyone gets along and has a comfortable, happy place to work.
Here are four ways to get started in your quest to improve employee relations.
1. Welcome Them With Open Arms
Good vibes should start on day one of someone’s employment. Bring them into the fold with enthusiasm, friendliness, and knowledge—and continue to provide those resources throughout their tenure on the team.
You might introduce them to everyone and grab name tags for a corporate office so they can easily chat with new team members. Pair them with a mentor who can guide them through the first few weeks or months. Even just being there to set up their desk can give a great impression and make them feel welcome.
Once they have a good feeling, they’ll be more likely to open up, too. This means that when another employee joins, you can count on them to welcome the newbie into the fold, just as you did for them.
2. Make Communication a Priority
On that note, employees want to feel like they can access their bosses whenever necessary. Do you make yourself open to talks, either in person or virtually?
If not, it’s time to start prioritizing open communication, as the opposite is often at the top of the list when it comes to employee relations issues. Make sure your team knows that your door—and inbox—is always open. Hold regular meetings and one-on-ones to provide even more chances for people to speak up and be heard.
3. Give Ample Feedback
Once you open the door to communication, make sure you’re giving employees the on-the-job feedback they crave. A whopping 65 percent of workers wish they got more of it, so amping up your feedback would only bolster employee relations.
Although you should give constructive criticism to improve your team’s workplace performance, make a point to focus on positive reinforcement. Highlight what they do well, and say thank you when they complete a tough task. This type of feedback makes them feel appreciated—and, in turn, improves how they feel about the job.
4. Help the Team Do More
Your employees don’t strive for stagnation. They want to be able to grow, learn and, eventually, move up in their careers. Provide them with these opportunities, and you’ll improve employee relations in a big way.
You can help the team do more by providing on-the-job training. Or, you could offer them a monthly or yearly stipend for ongoing education. This knowledge will help them progress their careers, but it’ll help you, too—you’ll have smarter and better-prepared staffers on your hands.
Prioritize Employee Relations
Many leading businesses have an ace up their sleeves when it comes to boosting productivity, developing job satisfaction and improving employee retention. They take help from credible platforms like Gift Market and reward their staff members with employee appreciation gifts. Several of the bigger businesses have aggressively started pursuing this in the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Now, you know the importance of strong employee relations. With this information in mind—and new methods to try—it’s time to make your team’s happiness a priority. It will serve them and the company well, and that’s a win-win situation everyone can get behind.
Need more advice for creating great leaders? Check back with us for more.
Leave a Reply