Monday, April 2, 2012

An Innovative and Attractive Workplace Eight Ways To Attract The Newest Generation of Employees


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The generation of new employees graduating from college today are part of Generation Y. These graduates are more connected, more technically savvy and more educated than generations before them. They want a flexible environment that reflects their values and supports their lifestyles. As a business owner, what kind of changes can you implement to make you most attractive to these prospective employees today?

Telecommuting: Every business has work that can be done from home. Checking email, monitoring test systems, writing code, editing presentations and a myriad of other tasks don't all need to be done in the office. Giving employees the opportunity to complete these tasks from home or whatever other environment they'd like to do it in (some people find coffee houses or local libraries invigorating) can save you money on overhead and give them the flexibility they need to fit work and life together more harmoniously.

Vacation: Give every employee a paid day off on their birthday, and consider reduced or rearranged seasonal hours. Instead of the traditional five eight-hour days, offer four ten-hour work days with Fridays off in the summer time. This can give your employees the opportunity to enjoy the nicer weather, plan short weekend trips to re-energize themselves and in return, bring fresh perspectives and energy into the workplace when they're back. They'll feel like they matter to you, you're showing them that the individual employee is important to your company and everyone benefits.

Work-life balance: Offer opportunities for sabbaticals or leaves of absence to employees who want to go volunteer long-term in the community or work on furthering their education or training. While they might not be completing measurable work for you in the short term, in the long term they are becoming more valuable employees who are well-rounded, up to date in your industry's education and connected with what is going on in the community around you.

Career development: Be sure to invest in your employees with continuing education. Whether you offer it in-house, like Deloitte LLP does with the "Deloitte University" or through external groups like the University of Phoenix or career coaches you hire through local HR companies, investing in your employee's professional growth not only is an investment in your own bottom line, but it makes them feel like you value them, want them to help you grow your business and that you feel they are true partners in the success of your company.

Update your technology: As upcoming generations like Generation Y and Generation Z begin to graduate college and enter the workplace, they bring technical savvy unlike any other generation before. Be sure to update your business's technical tools as new types come along, or you are sure to miss out on hiring the leaders of tomorrow for your workplace. (EMR) in the medical workplace are a great example of moving ahead with new technologies. Providing laptops and cell phones to employees that can utilize them effectively in their work makes you more attractive as a potential employer and can result in more successful employee retention.

On-site benefits: If your facilities allow, consider adding hiking trails, an on-campus gym or fitness facility, nicer dining options or other amenities that can be considered "perks". These go a long way in retaining employees and make them more likely to want to be at the workplace, with better attitudes and outlooks on being at work each day. Companies like MSDSOnline go so far as to provide ping-pong tables, a basketball hoop in break areas and a casual laid-back atmosphere that allows employees to take a break from work days that can be draining without a way to let off some steam occasionally. Google is a company famous for their fun atmosphere but serious work ethic among employees. Their "work hard, play hard" strategy has shown to be a successful one.

Councils and committees: Allow your employees the opportunity to help steer the extracurricular activities, philanthropic work and other activities available within your company. Forming committees where they can guide the non-essential activities that your company participates in gives them ownership, lets them pick activities they want to be involved with and grows the community within your company in both tangible and intangible ways. Consider a range of clubs or committees that focus on culture, sports, community, or family opportunities. Companies like IBM and Digitas are leaders in this area and have had great success attracting and retaining new employees in part because of these initiatives.

Volunteer opportunities: Giving back to the community around you, especially as a group, can bond your employees together in a way that no in-office work experience can. Consider a paid day off one time a year to let your employees volunteer together where it's needed, at the Ronald McDonald House or a local shelter or Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Encourage your employees to come forward when the organizations they are involved with in their personal lives could use assistance. Offer matching donations to your employees when they are fundraising for non-profits. Getting involved in the community in these ways and more lift your company in more ways than one.

Whether you consider implementing new technologies in your office like practice management software, or a more extracurricular approach such as an inter-office softball league, making efforts like those listed here can help your company go far in attracting and retaining new employees out of the newest generation to join the work force. Above all, be sure to utilize the knowledge this generation brings with them - it can be one of your company's greatest assets. Use these techniques and others like them to motivate and empower your new employees, and you'll find they will help take your company to new levels of success!

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