Tips to Improve Employee Relations in Small Businesses | AD
*This is a collaborative post
Employee relations are a critical factor in the success of any small business in the UK. When employees feel valued, respected and empowered, they are more likely to be productive, engaged and motivated. And with a highly competitive job market in the UK right now, employees are hard to come by, and employers are pulling out all the stops to attract the right talent and retain their best-performing employees. Good employee relations from the start are an integral part of the process of hiring and retaining employees, and ensuring you are focussing on this area will serve your company well in the long run. Read on for 4 tips on improving employee relations in your business right now.
Work With A HR Consultancy Firm
Small businesses can always benefit from expert assistance regarding employee relations. A professional HR consultancy can help businesses to create and implement an efficient and effective employee relations strategy. Additionally, they can offer advice on specific employment issues and legal compliance. Whether you are looking at hiring your first or 1001st employee, having experienced and efficient hr support can help you to start off on the right foot.
Promote A Work-Life Balance
For many employees, work-life balance is crucial when deciding on a job. In fact, nearly half of UK employees will change jobs for a better work-life balance, which is the main reason why companies lose employees, not pay. This means businesses should do everything possible to promote a healthy work-life balance for their employees. This includes giving employees enough flexibility to manage their workload, adjusting schedules as needed and scheduling mandatory breaks during the workday.
These small changes can significantly impact employee relations, as they show employees that their employers care about their overall well-being and not just their productivity at work. Businesses should also ensure that they have a clear and comprehensive leave policy to reduce the risk of employees feeling trapped in their jobs because they don’t have the flexibility to take time off when needed.
Invest in Employees
Investing in the skills and development of employees is an excellent way for businesses to create a positive and supportive work environment. Employers should provide plenty of opportunities for employees to learn and grow professionally, and they should offer training and mentoring programs. Business owners should also encourage employees to pursue their professional goals and interests as part of their overall benefits package.
Part of investing in employees is also about getting to know them, making time for them, organising team building events and celebrating their successes. Organising a team night out, a Christmas party during the festive season and giving gifts for work anniversaries and milestones all really help to build morale. If you’re stuck for corporate gift ideas and want something different to a bottle of wine or hamper, give custom corporate LEGO kits, something that will be enjoyed and appreciated for years to come.
Improve Communication
Communication is key to any healthy and positive work relationship and is especially important in employee relations. Employers should implement open-door policies and regular company-wide meetings to improve employee communication. Open-door procedures allow employees to quickly and discreetly communicate with their supervisors and other managers, which is essential for addressing issues that affect employee relations. This also goes for communication between employees, clients, and suppliers; providing guidance and assistance on how best to communicate effectively and ensuring everyone has the skill set and confidence to do so will benefit individuals and the company.
Conclusion
With more and more businesses struggling to find the right hires for vacancies, improving employee relations is vital to ensuring your current employees are supported and feel valued in their current roles. Not only will this help you reduce turnover, but it will also improve your reputation and help you become a company people want to work for!
