Employee Retention Ideas

What can your small business do to help build a positive culture and create a workplace that attracts and retains employees? Here are a few cool ideas from a company I work with...

* Health Days - in addition to regular time off, employees get 3 extra paid days off to unwind. Half of the staff takes a Friday and the other half a Monday - that way the office stays open and there is no service interruption * Volunteer Days - 1 paid day per quarter per employee to volunteer at a non-profit of their choice * Employees that want to commute (and help the company reach their 15% annual GHG emission reduction goal) receive a complimentary transit pass every month * Paid fitness center membership * Organic food delivery to the office * Subsidized (50%) organic home food delivery for each employee * Flex hours and a casual work environment * Social Fridays - the office shuts down an hour early; employees hang out and play foozball; Sony Wii; etc.

In a competitive labor market where employees have a lot of choice, your small business needs to excel in the "culture" department. As demographics change and the Baby-Boomers exit the job market, Gen X'ers and the new Face Book Generation are demanding more from their work environments. If your small business embraces work/life balance as part of your culture, you will have a better chance of attracting and retaining great employees.

Employee Retention Ideas - To learn more about this author, visit Mark Smiciklas's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

E-Mail | Print | More

Related Articles
Strategic Thinking To Develop A Successful Employee Retention Strategy According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
	Look around you in today’s business world. It is no secret that it is becoming more difficult to recruit and retain skilled employees. In fact, one could say that select businesses and industries are desperate or ...
Building Training Goals into Employee Reviews
	One of the many risks an employer takes when it comes to training employees is the retention of information. Some employees may exhibit signs of growth and improvement after partaking in employee training, while oth...
Eight Powerful Strategies To Retain Clients, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
	Do you practice strategic thinking in your marketing efforts? Do you develop client-retention strategies, in addition to strategies to gain new clients? If you answered NO to these questions, you may want to rethi...
Who Else Wants To Know The Top Management Skill - Follow This Proven Technique
	In the world today, as a manager you are paid to perform a number of tasks. However, you are paid to 'get things done' and as a manager that means making your staff as productive as possible. It's easy when you know...
WorkLife Balance & Employee Engagement
	An engaged employee is likely a more productive employee. An attitude adjustment or a morph of strategy can foster worker loyalty for both small and large businesses. Addressing the concerns of your workers with reg...

---

Related Forum Posts
	How to Retain and Motivate Employees?
	Forum Levels
	Post subject: It's Not Personal, just business
	Re: How to promote yourself in the EvanCarmichael.com Forums
	Join Hand with Developer
	2 Forums Updates
	Why Inventors Fail
	Re: Finding AND Keeping Good People