Top
Stories

The Ethical Workplace Blog Blog Going Nuclear—More Safe Power for Georgia's People February 14, 2012
Featured Article Getting Minorities to Buy In on Retirement February 13, 2012
Featured Article State Law Favored Over Feds in Overtime Case February 12, 2012
Featured Article Adopting a Social Media Mind-Set February 12, 2012
Featured Article Social Media and Collaboration Tools February 12, 2012
Featured Article Arbitration Pact Barring Class Lawsuits Violates NLRA February 12, 2012
Featured Article The Last Word: Backyard Retirement Plan February 11, 2012
Featured Article Wisconsin's Tough Choice February 10, 2012
Featured Article State Public Sector Retirement Plan Roundup February 10, 2012

Dear Workforce

Q: How Do We Make Ourselves an Employer of Choice


How do we promote our company as an employer of choice to our employees? We are trying to develop an internal communications and are searching for a solid strategy.
——Path Seeker, finance/insurance/real estate, Singapore

A:

Dear Path Seeker:

Promoting your company as an employer of choice to your employees won't work if they don't believe it. So the first step is basic: Determine whether your people really choose to be there, or would change jobs if given an opportunity.

When workers have the requisite education and skills training, they will make conscious choices about their employment, including where to apply and whether to stay. When we wrote our book about the employment-choice concept, we researched how people make decisions about where they work.

We learned that eight criteria are used by the majority of respondents to our surveys:

  • The company: Is the employer financially strong, respected and focused on the future?

  • Culture: Are employees empowered, engaged, accountable? Do they look forward to coming to work because of the relationships between co-workers?

  • Enlightened leadership: Are leaders accessible, communicative and sensitive to internal and external factors influencing corporate success? Do they ‘get it'?

  • Care of people: Is work/life balance valued? Are employees encouraged to take care of themselves (wellness) and their families? Do policies regarding where, when and how people work emphasize flexibility?

  • Meaningful work: Do all employees feel that their work is significant? Do they receive recognition for the difference they make in the lives of others?

  • Growth and opportunity: Are training and education valued? Do all employees have an opportunity to learn and grow? Does the employer offer career growth potential?

  • Compensation and benefits: Are people paid fairly for the work they do? How well tailored to the needs and interests of the employees are benefits programs?

  • Making a difference: Does the employer facilitate opportunities for employees to volunteer their time and expertise to improve life for others--in the local community, around the country, around the world?

With these criteria in mind, do your research. Employee interviews, focus groups and attitude surveys will help you evaluate your situation. Listen carefully for areas in which employees feel your company is not up to par. Fix those problems. As people become more satisfied, they will choose to stay and deliver high performance.

SOURCE: Roger E. Herman, Herman Group, Greensboro, North Carolina., author of How to Become an Employer of Choice, April 3, 2006.

LEARN MORE: Please read How to Figure Out if You're an Employer of Choice.

The information contained in this article is intended to provide useful information on the topic covered, but should not be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion. Also remember that state laws may differ from the federal law.

 

Ask a Question

Dear Workforce Newsletter

Ask a Question

Sign Up!

Get the Dear Workforce e-newsletter.

Leave A Comment

Guidelines: Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. You are fully responsible for the content you post.

Daily Q&A

How Do We Build a World-Class Recruiting Department?

I need to establish a strategic plan on how we can become a world-class staffing/recruiting department. Unfortunately, all the historical data from previous recruiting managers got tossed. Do you have any simple tips on how to begin this ambitious plan?

—World-Class Ambition, staffing manager, software/services, Pennsylvania

Read Answer

Stay Connected

Join our community for unlimited access to the latest tips, news and information in the HR world.

HR Jobs

View All Job Listings

Search