The quiet quitting movement has illuminated widespread workplace dissatisfaction, as more employees prioritize their happiness and well-being over stress and disengagement. Employee engagement in the United States has hit a decade low, with just 32% of U.S. employees reporting feeling engaged — a clear sign that traditional perks are no longer enough.
As priorities shift, creating a supportive workplace is more important than ever. The good news? Motivating employees doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some practical ways your small business can keep employees happy.
Embrace employee autonomy
Employee autonomy impacts job satisfaction and enables workers to tailor their responsibilities to fit their working styles within a flexible framework. This working model doesn’t equate to a lack of rules — rather, it promotes a more adaptable approach to work.
Allow employees to choose their working schedules and design their own work processes, set up flexible deadlines, encourage a hybrid working environment, and enable remote working options to embrace autonomy in your workplace.
[Read more: 3 Simple Ways to Improve Employee Loyalty in 2024]
Provide incentives
Acknowledge employees’ hard work by rewarding them with incentives. Whether through work-from-home days, stress-relief activities like bringing in dogs from local shelters, financial bonuses, or creative rewards like extra personal days, offering incentives can boost employee morale and strengthen loyalty to your company. This, in turn, can lead to improved employee engagement, productivity, and even happiness.
Increase your financial support
For financially able businesses, increasing employee monetary offerings can help them achieve greater security and peace of mind.
“In addition to retirement savings, employees need other types of support to improve their financial well-being … [including] financial literacy courses, assistance with emergency savings accounts, and even down payment assistance for first-time home buyers,” explained Teri Williams, President and COO of OneUnited Bank.
Get creative with your support based on employees’ needs, and ask them for input when implementing these initiatives. Supporting employees in the way they prefer will keep them happy and engaged.
Develop personalized growth plans for team members
Help employees plan for the future by establishing long-term professional goals using personalized growth plans. These plans provide a clear path forward for employees by outlining shared goals between employees and employers, realistic milestones, progress measurements, and resources for skill development and support.
Growth plans motivate employees by demonstrating your commitment to their long-term success. According to Paul Miller, Managing Partner at Miller and Company, LLP, setting attainable growth paths for employees can directly result in loyalty and increased employee retention and satisfaction.
Offer flexible work options
Many employees who got a taste of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have been eager to continue with either remote or hybrid work options to create a better work-life balance. If you can adopt this in your business model, offer your team the chance to work remotely and mutually determine which days they would come into the office.
“When companies embrace flexible policies, employees are less likely to feel the need to take extended breaks or lunches during their productive hours,” noted Amy Sharp, Manager of Client Engagement and Talent Acquisition for TYR Talent Solutions. “Providing flexibility fosters a sense of trust and balance, leading to greater focus and efficiency.”
[Read more: How the Remote and Hybrid Work Era Impacts Employers]
For financially able businesses, increasing employee monetary offerings can help them achieve greater security and peace of mind.
Be transparent
Establish effective communication methods in your business to ensure transparency across your teams. A lack of workplace transparency can lead to employees who feel unsupported, demotivated, and unheard, ultimately impacting their workplace satisfaction and productivity.
Adopt transparent practices like open-door policies, robust feedback systems, and clear decision-making processes. This will build trust among all levels of the business and ensure teams are up-to-date with internal communications, helping to avoid miscommunications and arming them for success.
“Trust is the foundation of it all,” Eric Brown, Founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, emphasized. “It boosts collaboration and keeps morale high. Plus, it … get[s] employees more invested in your business and mission.”
Support employees’ mental health and well-being
Provide mental health and wellness resources to show your commitment to employees’ well-being in and out of the workplace. Depending on your budget and team needs, this can include hosting wellness-focused events, providing access to digital resources like telehealth services, virtual fitness classes, or wellness apps, or offering paid mental health days.
“Ensure [employees] feel truly seen, heard, and cared for — both as individuals and as contributors to a shared purpose,” said Charlie Carroll, Owner of Table33. “When employees feel genuinely valued as people, they’re happier, more engaged, and more committed.”
Promoting wellness helps prevent burnout and equips your team with the necessary tools to perform at their best. It can also uplift and connect teams, reducing turnover and creating a shared sense of purpose — critical components for long-term success.
[Read more: 12 Wellness Benefits You Can Offer Employees]
Encourage professional development
Personal and professional development opportunities, such as mentorships, workshops, or networking events, allow employees to build essential skills to excel at their jobs. Engagement rates are higher when companies invest in their employees. The more skills an employee acquires, the more they will be motivated to perform well — especially when they feel supported by their employers.
Make time for socialization
About one-third of our lives is spent at work, so creating a friendly environment with coworkers at all levels is critical for morale. Socializing — including taking employees to lunch or dinner after work or walking on the weekends outside of work — can increase the bond you have with your employees. This allows your team to connect on a personal level, improve relationships, and foster a sense of trust and openness that drives creativity and innovation within the workplace.
“Truly caring for and intentionally connecting with your employees isn’t just beneficial for them — it’s the cornerstone of long-term success,” Carroll said.
Implement employee feedback
Receiving feedback is a huge part of job development. For employees, receiving positive feedback is motivating, and highly motivated, skillful employees contribute to twice the revenue growth and profit margins. For business owners, regularly asking for and acting on feedback shows you’re listening and that you value what employees have to say, leading to a more active and willing-to-contribute workforce.
“Take consistent action after listening to employees,” urged Floor van Griensven, Chief People Officer at Trivium Packaging. “Listening can take many forms, from surveys and pulse checks to town halls and feedback sessions. This will make employee engagement contagious and a priority for everyone.”
Celebrate employee achievements (in cost-effective ways)
Reward employees’ hard work by celebrating their achievements in meaningful, cost-effective ways. These gestures can be as big or small as your resources allow, whether it’s a shoutout during a team meeting, a personalized thank-you note, or a celebratory company-wide outing.
Emphasize the value of employees’ contributions to help them feel appreciated and reinforce their importance to your company. You can even survey employees to learn their recognition preferences and ensure your appreciation resonates.
“Make [employees] feel like they matter,” Brown said. “Real connection comes from listening, valuing input, and showing that their well-being is a priority.”
Create an authentic workplace culture
As employees seek more flexible, inclusive, and engaging environments, retaining and inspiring your workforce depends on building a strong culture. In fact, 88% of employees agree that a healthy culture is key to success — yet many companies still overlook its importance.
To create an authentic workplace culture, adapt to employee needs and lead by example. Most polled employees feel leaders and managers drive a business’s workplace culture, proving that creating an authentic culture begins at the top.
“Take care of each other to build a culture of interdependency,” encouraged Shalabh Gupta, MD, Founder and CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics. “We all need help from each other as a team, but in a small, dedicated group, this is even more important.”
Lauren Wingo and Lauren Kubiak also contributed to this article.
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Published
Miranda Fraraccio