Sustaining Employee Morale

If you have grown your company to the point of having employees and you have made good hiring decisions, you will want to keep them.  Employee turnover is expensive due to the time required to advertise, hire, and train new employees.   For most people to stay in a job, they have to feel valued and a sense of accomplishment.  The value can be monetary – you are paying them well for the job they are performing or it can be a combination of decent pay along with other incentives such as sincere praise, a sense of self-worth, or other perquisites.   As mentioned in another posting, it is part of building and maintaining important relationships; although this time, the relationships are between the employer and employee.

Years ago, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company (aka The Bleachery) was a big employer in the area.  Each year to show appreciation for their employees, The Bleachery held an event they called the Bleachery Christmas Tree.  According to an archived Herald article, Rock Hill Printing and Finishing started holding the event in 1944 for the five thousand children of their employees. They gave age-appropriate, inexpensive toys to the children of their employees.  It was an exciting event for the employees and their children.   I know because I was one of those children in the 1960’s who lined up to go down the row with my bag to get my toys.  The Bleachery would play popular Christmas music (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Here Comes Santa Claus, etc.) through speakers for the crowds.  Santa was on hand for the children to see as well.

In this example, the employer showed appreciation for their workers and help them feel satisfied with their job.  While this example may be extreme, many employers continue to provide bonuses, parties, and other incentives during the holiday season to show appreciation for their employees and help to recommit them to their work.  What perks do you give your employees or does your employer give you?