8 Ways Startups Can Ensure Employee Satisfaction

Good managers and leaders know that happy employees are loyal, effective, and productive. When people don’t feel like they have a positive impact at the workplace or simply feel underappreciated, they’re more likely to leave and find employment elsewhere.

In this article, we’re offering 8 simple tips that will help you ensure employee satisfaction in your startup.

1. Provide Praise and Recognition

Research has shown that about 70% of employees in the States don’t feel motivated to give their best performance. One of the reasons for this is the fact that they don’t feel their effort is appreciated.

You have to remember that satisfied customers and big revenues won’t be possible without skilled employees. Acknowledging and rewarding your staff members will motivate them to constantly perform well and stop them from leaving. This is one of the crucial elements of employee retention or, as the team of SnackNation says, “Employee retention, like a strong marriage, is something you must constantly work on, but the resulting relationship is well worth the effort.”

If you can afford it, consider offering a financial bonus for completing an important project or, if this is not an option, thank them in front of the entire team for a job well done.

2. Create an Atmosphere of Growth

Jobs are more than just a source of income; they’re also a venue for members of your workplace to learn and grow. Employees want to know that they’re able to advance their career and if they aren’t given an opportunity to expand their skills and responsibilities, they will become bored and demotivated.

Employers can create an atmosphere of growth by providing training, e-learning, and on-the-job exercises. Local events are another budget-friendly and effective way that allows your team to build their network, interact with clients, and learn from industry experts. 

You can also let your employees become mentors and share their skills with everyone else in the workplace. Doing this would help your employees learn new skills while at the same time helping sharpen the skill set of the ones sharing their knowledge.

3. Listen to What They Have to Say

If you want your employees to be happy, you need to ensure they feel like they belong and are an integral part of the workplace. Think of it this way – your employees don’t just work for you, they help you fulfill your dreams and achieve your goals. For that reason, it is very important to listen to their opinions, not just regarding their work but also other issues they might have. 

Conducting face-to-face meetings is the best way to do this. Set aside some time every month to meet with each team member and listen to what they have to say. If you can’t always have the meetings in person, you can rely on communications tools like Slack or Zoom. 

The feedback you collect will give you a much broader perspective on what is going on in your startup and come up with solutions that will contribute to employee empowerment.

4. Focus on Wellbeing

Showing your team members that you care about their wellbeing can definitely boost their feelings about you as an employer. Focusing on mental health is very important, but showing concern for the physical wellbeing of your workers should also be on your priority list. Consider providing benefits like gym memberships, reduced cost healthcare, accessible counseling service, or insurance. 

Employers’ liability insurance provides you and your employees with the peace of mind that, if something goes wrong, the relevant costs will be met. Your employees will be able to receive the care they might need, and you can rest assured that your small business will be able to cope. 

When it comes to insurance, your company’s location affects which policies you need; however, most states require workers’ compensation insurance. For instance, worker’s compensation is an essential insurance policy in Pennsylvania, California, Texas, etc., even for companies that have one employee. Actions like this will show your employees that you value them, reduce their stress levels and, as a result, improve their morale and increase productivity. It will also make your company look more attractive to prospective employees in the future. 

5. Allow Work from Home

It’s a well-known fact that employees perform the best when they have a strong work-life balance. However, in today’s fast-paced world, maintaining this balance is hard. Offering your staff members to work from home will allow them to commit to their personal duties without missing their work. 

Many employees would see the option to work from home as one of the most important benefits an employer can offer. This is especially true for the millennials who constitute the majority of the workforce at the moment. A study by FlexJobs found that 85 percent of millennials want to telecommute 100% of the time, and nearly 55% of them want to work a flexible or alternative schedule. 

6. Give Them More Control

Encourage your team members to customize their workstations. This could include the decor of their choice or tools and pieces of equipment they need. This will not only provide them with control over their work environment but can also contribute to easing personal barriers like eyestrain or back pain that could negatively affect their effectiveness. 

Another way to provide your employees with a sense of control is to create competitions. Each employee can set personal goals, so they will be in control of their success, and will feel a sense of accomplishment instead of obligation.

7. Make Time for Fun

Your staff spends a big portion of their time in the office, which is why it is so important to break the routine with some fun. Consider ideas like organizing staff outings, treating your team members to a pizza or beer on Fridays, hosting movie nights, casual dress code, etc. 

Activities like these will not only show that you’re a thoughtful employer but can also help your team members to get to know each other better.

8. Mark Special Occasions

Research has shown that over 70% of workers who voluntarily leave a company don’t actually quit their jobs, but their employers. Failing to take an interest in the lives of your members and not acknowledge special occasions like birthdays, work anniversaries, or other important milestones will make them disheartened with their role in your company.

Show your staff that you care. Be sure to send thoughtful gifts whenever someone has a birthday or gets married. In addition, make it a habit to ask them how they are and learn the names of their kids/partners. If you can demonstrate that you truly care, your employees will be ready to do anything in their power to help you make your company a success.

Final Thoughts

Low employee satisfaction can result in increased employee turnover and reduced productivity. In order to be able to turn your startup into a reputable, successful business, you need to invest time and money into keeping the members of your workforce happy. 

If you’re looking for a little direction on how to achieve this, these 8 tips are a great starting point to improve employee satisfaction.