Being a good employer is about creating an environment where your team can thrive both personally and professionally. Workplace culture holds a lot of clout because people want to spend their working hours in an environment where they feel valued. But getting it right can be tricky, especially if you’re just taking your first steps towards becoming a new employer.

Why is being a good employer important?

The fact is that when employers prioritise the wellbeing and satisfaction of their employees, it creates a sense of loyalty and commitment throughout the workforce. A supportive, happy workplace not only boosts employee morale but also contributes to increased productivity and creativity.

Good employers understand the unique strengths and needs of their team members, promoting a culture of collaboration and growth. Additionally, a positive employer-employee relationship often results in lower staff turnover rates, saving both time and money.

 
Remember, it’s an ongoing process of learning and adapting. Want to know how it’s done? Let’s take a look.

Communicate effectively

• Keep open and transparent communication with your employees: Issues tend to fester if staff don’t feel listened to, or like they can’t voice their worries or concerns effectively.
• Make sure staff feel heard and valued: Set clear expectations regarding roles, responsibilities, and goals. This can help avoid misunderstandings and promotes accountability too.
• Acknowledge and appreciate hard work: Recognition boosts morale and encourages a positive work environment. We all like to hear a few kind words sometimes!

It’s just as important to communicate bad news as it is to share the good stuff. For example, if you need to consider staff redundancies then it may be better to explain what’s happening rather than leaving staff to speculate.
 

Provide professional development and feedback

Constructive feedback also helps employees grow. Regularly check in on performance and offer guidance on improvement. Support your employees’ career growth by providing opportunities for training and development too. This not only benefits them but also enhances their contribution to your business.

Offer fair pay and perks

You will need to register for Pay As You Earn (PAYE) as soon as you employ your first member of staff, but make sure your employees are fairly compensated for their skills and contributions too.

This can vary a bit between geographical area and will also depend on the job market for that role, but fair pay is crucial for motivation and job satisfaction. Do your research into the realistic pay levels you need to offer.

When it comes to attracting the best people for the job, you might also want to consider staff perks and other Benefits in Kind. This could be things like private healthcare or gym membership for example. You should also consider offering regular pay rises if you can possibly afford to.

There are also all sorts of non-taxable perks and benefits which you can offer to your employees.

Know about pensions and auto-enrolment

Automatic enrolment has been gradually introduced in stages since 2012. It basically means that eligible employees must be automatically enrolled in a company pension scheme to help them save for retirement.

Unless your employee chooses to opt out of the scheme, you must make a minimum contribution towards their pension of 3% each time you pay them, and the total contributions from both you and your employee must be a minimum of 8%. Some businesses decide to pay a higher rate to add further value and attract staff.

Understand parental leave and pay

Your employees may be entitled to a minimum amount of statutory leave and pay for any absences relating to their children. Entitlements can vary depending on the nature of the absence, and how long they’ve been working for you, so it’s good to make sure both you and your team know what’s what. You might also decide to offer additional discretionary pay or leave alongside the statutory minimums.

Make sure employees have a good work-life balance

Maintaining a good work-life balance is crucial for employees as it directly impacts their overall well-being and performance.

When staff have the opportunity to balance professional responsibilities and personal life, they’re less likely to feel stressed, will have increased job satisfaction, and enjoy improved physical and mental health. A balanced lifestyle:

• Fosters higher levels of productivity and creativity at work
• Allows for meaningful connections with family and friends
• Contributes to a more fulfilling and enriched existence

Ultimately, a healthy work-life balance is the cornerstone for sustained career success and a happier, more contented life. It can also avoid physical and mental burnout.

Offer flexibility

This one follows on from the idea of a decent work-life balance. Since the pandemic, more and more of us have been working from home – at least some of the time. Don’t let your best talent walk out the door! Whenever possible, be flexible with work hours and arrangements. Whilst many people are now back in the office full time, a new remote or hybrid working culture has grown significantly.

If you can strike a balance that works for everyone as well as the needs of the business, this can really improve job satisfaction and attract a much more diverse range of talent. It could also reduce staff turnover.

Nurture health and wellbeing

Prioritise the health and well-being of your employees with a safe working environment and by offering various health benefits. This could be access to a confidential counselling service for example, or regular team away days.

Get employees involved

Everyone wants to feel accepted, valued and part of a team. Involve your employees in decision-making processes whenever you can. This fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.

Encourage diversity and a feeling of belonging among your employees too. Demonstrate the values and work ethic you expect from your employees and lead by example.

 
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