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No matter how many seminars on engagement and teamwork your work team attends, it doesn't always translate to the daily grind. It's easy for both employers and employees to get caught up in their own worries and forget that they're an integral part of a team. The seasons when life is particularly stressful are the times when it's most important for people in the workplace to find ways to support one another. Here are some key principles to incorporate into your office goals to help you do that.
Transparency
Every employee at the company should have access to information on how well it is doing overall. Often, management tries to keep problems private until a resolution has been found. This, however, can lead to a lack of trust or feelings of insecurity and uncertainty for those left out of the loop. Many people are nervous about making major financial commitments such as applying for a VA home loan because they don't know whether they will have a job to make the payments on a long-term basis. A management team that is honest and transparent with its employees is more likely to see that behavior reciprocated than one that is secretive.
Flexibility
On some level, achieving the perfect work-life balance is a good life goal. It is vital to set clear boundaries and adhere to them, particularly for people who tend to be workaholics. Work-life integration, however, may offer the flexibility that many employees need to really thrive. With the technology available today, there's really no need for most employees to stick to a rigid schedule that matches office hours. Allow them the freedom to break up their workday in a way that fits their lifestyle rather than trying to foster a healthy home life in the scant spaces they have left after work. This practice communicates that they are valued, not just as workers but as people. The company then benefits from the increase in productivity that typically correlates with this level of flexibility.
Generosity
Seasoned business owners are familiar with the concept of spending money to make money. This adage doesn't just apply to investing in new projects or expansions, though. Smart bosses also invest in their employees through fantastic benefits packages and competitive salaries. The more lucrative it is to work for a company, the better talent the organization attracts. Employee compensation, therefore, is not the area of the budget where you want to skimp. Investing in your employees helps reduce turnover, which translates into significant savings in regards to time and money spent on training new personnel. Spending a little more capital up front can pay large dividends later.
Development
Another way employees and employers can support one another is through professional development. The more initiative the staff takes to continue their education in your industry, the better they're going to be at their jobs. Obviously, this is good for the organization's bottom line. Employers also have a role to play. Good managers take an interest in their employees' career goals, and this involves more than just knowing what those goals are. Supervisors are in a prime position to be mentors to their staff. By working closely with them, managers can observe team members' strengths and advise them on the skills they need to spend more time improving. This information is helpful when planning ongoing training sessions, allowing leaders to cater to the specific needs of their teams. Creating solid professional development plans benefits both employers and employees.
Having a healthy workplace isn't just a task you can complete once and mark as finished on the checklist. It is a continuous process of communication, feedback and adjustment. Having the support of your team is nice, but it cannot be a one-way street if it's going to carry your company through stressful seasons. Building a solid foundation of trust through transparency, flexibility, generosity and development can make you more likely to not just survive but thrive through hard times.