Congratulations, you’ve hired young workers who are a perfect fit for your company—they’re smart, they’re motivated, and they’re eager to make their mark. Now comes the tough part: keeping them that way. As their employer, it’s your job to make this new generation of workers happy so they can be as efficient as possible. And this is easier said than done, since what today’s workers want and expect is vastly different than it used to be. In fact, according to Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace Report, which surveyed more than 150,000 full- and part-time workers, only 30 percent of employees are engaged and inspired at work. Here are six steps to ensure that your workers become part of that statistic.
- Let there be light. A happy worker requires a happy work environment, so it’s important that your physical office be an aesthetically welcoming place. For starters, never underestimate the power of bright colors and lighting. Plus, your space should feel flexible and inspire the worker to want to work there. Your first step toward brightening the place up? Take down the cube walls. A wide-open workspace fosters an inclusive environment in which workers can be at their most productive and interactive.
- Make room. Every space in your office should have a purpose, and every necessary purpose should have a space. Conference rooms should be big enough to accommodate big group conversations, and small nooks and crannies are perfect for smaller conversations that won’t disturb others.
- Add perks. Amenities play a big part in workers’ overall happiness and productivity. This includes good food (either onsite or close by), high-end coffee bars, exercise facilities and healthcare. And they want these amenities to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so don’t forget to implement a recycling program, plus use sustainable supplies and fixtures and safe non-toxic products for cleaning or pest control.
- Go high tech. Skilled workers expect access to the most recent computing technology, both on a desktop and their mobile device. Be sure to also offer the latest office equipment for managing output, using multi-function devices for the production or distribution of output. A collaborative space is most useful when it has video and audio capability for presentations. And WIFI should be available wherever the worker goes, allowing them to access data and resources on the go.
- Be everywhere. Today’s workers don’t consider the office to be contained to four walls. They need to be mobile, and able to plug into all company resources at any time. Therefore, it’s essential to utilize technology-based work environments and online apps that grant access to critical information.
- Step up your social media game. Employees want to engage with their work environment and co-workers through the same channels they communicate outside of work–and that means social media. The more workers are able to engage with your brand and culture, the more they’ll be able to identify with it. Social media allows them to build brand awareness, enhance cultural nuance, collaborate and provide information about availability of services and resources. Active involvement encourages passion about the organization as a whole. Ultimately, they’ll be dedicating to advancing not only the company goals but their individual goals within the company.
