Office mutiny sounds like a hyperbolic concept. One is reminded of the Monty Python short—The Crimson Permanent Assurance, which featured office drones as swashbuckling pirates.
While office revolts aren’t as equally dramatic, the reasons behind them aren’t that far removed from historical accounts of mutinies. When the men on the HMS Bounty mutinied against the cruel Captain Bligh — though their plight was far more extreme — their gripes detailed torturous working conditions they were forced to endure.
A happy office is a healthy and, most importantly, productive one. In the age of the Great Resignation, keeping employees content is vital. Here are some of the best ways to improve employee satisfaction.
Let Them Know They’re Appreciated
It’s far too easy for managers and bosses to get so busy with other administrative tasks that they forget to make an appearance on the work floor. Part of being a good boss is being present, which means more than just a body in a room.
Your employees like to know you’re aware of their existence, especially if they’ve been working hard. Celebrate their milestones with the company — be it a birthday or anniversary. Small gestures can add up to a more fruitful relationship with your employees.
Offer Training
Last year, a Harris poll revealed that 50 per cent of workers in the U.S. were considering leaving not just their jobs, but their entire careers. That might be related to the fact that half of U.S. workers also believe that, with technology fast-advancing, they might need to learn a new skill in the next five years in order to stay relevant.
Offering on-the-job training courses is a terrific way to engage employees further in the world of the industry, perhaps reminding them of why they initially got in. Also, on-the-job training is appealing and desirable to employees because of the double value of learning new skills, as well as staying relevant at work.
Create a More Flexible Schedule
Times have changed, and so have work schedules. The standard 9-to-5 business day is something that even Forbes argues should be retired. Since the pandemic, 97 per cent of workers found they didn’t want to be at the office full-time. Given other positive statistics about remote work, that’s not entirely a negative.
It’s still important for you to be in touch with your employees on a regular basis, but it doesn’t need to be face-to-face every day of the week. Creating a hybrid schedule, where employees can work from home on certain days, will allow them more freedom.
Every Now and Then, Take a Break
Your employees understand that you expect hard work from them, but they shouldn’t have to feel like workhorses. Too often, bosses are known for “riding their employees” by asking them to stay late or take projects home. Not enough bosses are known for encouraging their workers to go for a walk.
It’s no longer counter-intuitive; when properly arranged between an employer and employees, work can be done away from the office desk.
Kenny Hedges | Contributing Writer
