<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=349935452247528&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Search
word-map-thumb

The Alternative Board Blog

7 Things Even Your Best Employees Hate

May. 24, 2023 | Posted by The Alternative Board

The employment market has been brutal for most companies and industry at large. While job seekers are certainly also experiencing employment volatility, it still appears that in many ways the workforce is still holding the best hand in the high-stakes game of acquisition and retention. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, every month between July and November of 2022, more than 4 million American workers quit their jobs. Do the math; that’s over 24 million resignations in just six months. While those numbers have improved somewhat in 2023, they are still hovering near historic highs. So now more than ever, it is essential that business owners leverage all they can to attract and retain the talent they need to run and grow their companies. And for many, that requires a little self-reflection. Just how in tune are you with the drivers and detractors of employee satisfaction?

Read “Everything You Need To Know About Quiet Quitting.”

Here are the top seven things even your best employees hate and how you can fix them.

1. Employees Hate Being Micromanaged.

Excessive direction and control over employees dramatically impact productivity, innovation and job satisfaction. Allowing your workers a level of autonomy reinforces respect and professionalism, while underscoring a culture of accountability. If you or your management staff tend to micromanage your employees, consider implementing a leadership program that underscores the importance of employee development over heavy-handed compliance.

2. Employees Hate Being Overworked.

Lack of work-life balance often leads to employee burnout, a top cause of job resignations. Millennials and Gen Zees in particular value leisure and personal time above just about anything else. They are less interested in climbing the corporate ladder than they are carving out happiness in the present moment. Foster a culture of work-life balance in your business by allowing work flexibility and remote options. Consider implementing wellness programs and stress management workshops.

3. Employees Hate Being Undercompensated.

You know what they say, you get what you pay for. Basing your HR model on low-ball wages to save on payroll is a recipe for disaster – and will likely cost your business more in the long run. Employee acquisition and onboarding is costly, even compared against the cost of retaining higher-salaried workers. When filling your positions, be sure to research industry and local salary ranges. Then pad it a little to attract and retain the people who will help move your company forward.

4. Employees Hate a Toxic Work Environment.

Toxicity in the workplace negatively impacts a huge swath of modern businesses. For individual companies, this can be due to many factors including a lack of accountability, a culture that overlooks bullying and harassment, or a culture of over-competitiveness, to name a few. Recognizing that yours is a toxic workplace is the first step to remedying it. Gather feedback from employees to gain clarity on specific toxic dynamics and behaviors. Then create a plan to address and mitigate these negative factors in your business.

5. Employees Hate Not Having Opportunities for Growth.

While the term “upwardly mobile” is not part of the public lexicon to the degree it once was, the fact remains that employees crave opportunities for growth. If your business offers limited advancement or development opportunities, eventually your employees will seek that promotion with your competitor. Consider collaborating with employees on a personalized growth plan as part of your onboarding process.

6. Employees Hate Not Being Recognized for Their Accomplishments.

Recognition and rewards don’t always need to be monetary, although performance-based bonuses are always nice. Don’t undervalue the power of your enthusiastic acknowledgement for a job well done. Make it sincere, be sure to shout it from the rooftops when appropriate (as in a newsletter or an all-hands meeting) and don’t forget to personally acknowledge the contribution one-on-one.

7. Employees Hate Lack of Meaning in Their Work.

Nobody wants to be a cog in a meaningless machine. Today’s employees crave connection with the businesses for whom they work, the communities in which they live, and the causes that they care about. Some organizations are more innately designed for more meaningful engagement based on the type of products or services they provide, while others simply don’t have that large, built-in purpose. If your business falls into the latter category, consider identifying causes and engagements that align with your culture and vision. Then foster opportunities for employees to contribute to those causes – both on the clock and off – at their own discretion.

By opening yourself up as a business owner to the mindset, preferences and needs of your employees, you position your organization as in touch, responsive and enriching. And nobody hates working for a company like that.

Read our 19 Reasons You Need a Business Owner Advisory Board

DOWNLOAD

Written by The Alternative Board

Related posts

How Employee Learning and Development Can Boost Retention
May. 17, 2023 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
    The ideal employee is an individual who works hard, acts on their own initiative, seeks to be a high-quality team player, and wishes to grow in their career. If you have employees who fit this...
When Is It Time To Fire an Employee?
May. 10, 2023 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Terminating an employee is never fun. Even for the most polished and seasoned business owner, the process of letting someone go is almost universally stressful, unpleasant and emotionally...
How to Tackle Skills Gaps in the Workplace
May. 3, 2023 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
  Finding the right candidates for your open positions is hard enough, given current labor conditions. The challenge becomes more pressing when you hire a talented individual, only to find out they...
How Leaders Can Boost Employee Engagement and Productivity
Apr. 19, 2023 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
  These days, business leaders are more focused than ever on finding ways to promote employee engagement and productivity. Although circumstances differ from one business to another, certain key...
7 Ways To Create a Culture of Engagement in Your Business
Apr. 12, 2023 | Posted by The Alternative Board
It’s no big surprise that employee engagement is critical to the productivity and long-term success of your business. What might be shocking though is how often engagement is overlooked even by those...
Creative Engagement Strategies Can Lead to Stronger Retention
Apr. 5, 2023 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
Why do some employees stay with your company and others leave? There are several possible reasons, including financial considerations and the physical location of your workplace. But above all else,...
Create a Culture of Health and Wellness in Your Business
Mar. 22, 2023 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Today’s employees have elevated expectations of their workplace environments. Long gone are the days of mindlessly clocking in and out from an unsatisfying, sterile and disengaging job. Employees...
Memo to Business Leaders: Take Better Care of Yourself!
Mar. 15, 2023 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
  There’s a lot of focus these days on employee health and well-being, as there should be. But what about the men and women who lead businesses, either as a CEO or owner? When it comes to taking...
Wonderful Ways To Boost Employee Morale
Mar. 8, 2023 | Posted by The Alternative Board
Employee morale has a massive impact on the overall success of your business. When employees are happy, engaged and thriving they are more productive, less likely to call in sick and much less apt to...
Implementing an Employee Wellness Program Can Boost Retention
Mar. 1, 2023 | Posted by Lee Polevoi
  Does your organization currently have an employee wellness program in place? If so, it’s a good idea to feature this benefit prominently in your open-jobs listing. These days, many job applicants...