What Makes a Company Attractive to Employees

Here is our guide on what makes a company attractive to employees.

An attractive company enacts different policies to help gain and retain capable employees. Examples of attractive company features include competitive salaries, leadership and management, and social events. The purpose of these features is to attract and retain workers in the company long-term.

To make a company attractive to employees, it is important to consider creating a positive work environment, establishing company core values, and implementing employee recognition programs. These ideas help boost employee engagement benefits and reduce employee turnover.

This list includes:

how to make your company attractive to employees
what makes a company a great place to work
what makes an employee loyal to a company
what makes employees love their jobs

Let’s begin!

How to make your company attractive to employees

Many factors can make a company attractive to employees. Of course, individual employees have their needs and expectations, and companies cannot offer every single one. However, companies should do their best to provide multiple options. Here is a list of factors that can make your company attractive to employees.

1. Competitive Salary

A significant topic of decision with employees is salary. A company that refuses to maintain a competitive wage often loses employees. Many employees generally keep an eye on the market salary rate and benefits. Further, these same employees will leave if they find another company that offers better benefits or pay. Companies should provide a competitive salary when hiring new staff and maintain market standards for existing employees.

Regular salary increases and reviews will keep employees happy and willing to work. In today’s modern world of quiet quitting, many employees will offer the bare minimum if a company is only willing to pay the bare minimum. Besides, offering a competitive salary gives the company an edge over competitors and ensures the firm gets the best workforce in the industry.

2. Bonuses and Benefits

Many employees consider benefits and bonuses as significant when job hunting. Many employees will choose a company that offers a fair salary but excellent bonuses and benefits. As a business, consider offering benefits like seasonal bonuses, sales threshold bonuses, insurance, and retirement funds.

Companies do not have to provide every single bonus or benefit. Instead, focus on two or three and give the best. Companies should not see bonuses and benefits as an extension of a salary and reduce the salary rate. Instead, consider bonuses as an add-on to a good salary.

Here are guides to employee benefits and staff incentives.

3. Inclusion and Diversity

Companies attract employees when there is a great deal of inclusion and diversity. In an ever-increasingly diverse world, a company must be more accommodating of individuals. A company discriminating against workers’ race, physical or mental health, or gender will likely not attract many employees. Companies must show inclusion and diversity in hiring, promotion, leadership, and compensation. Employees should feel welcome and respected regardless of creeds and attributes.

Inclusion might also require companies to have handicap-accessible spaces and facilities. Firms may also provide workers with accommodation plans when needed.

Read more about the benefits of diversity.

4. Working Flexibility

Every office and working environment should give flexibility to workers. Companies can have rules for dressing, handling tasks, and completing projects, but these rules should not be so strict that workers cannot get any flexibility. Flexibility gives room for employees to find more efficient ways to handle tasks. Operational flexibility also provides space for workers to grow and challenge themselves.

Companies giving flexibility also means not micromanaging workers. Micromanagement shows a lack of trust and respect for the worker’s ability to handle tasks and will usually lead to frustration and discomfort for employees. A perfectionistic personality quickly frustrates good workers enough to look for employment elsewhere.

5. Favorable Working and Overtime Policy

A company that wants to remain attractive to employees must draft clear working and overtime terms. The policy should state working hours and days, total expected working hours, overtime expectations, and overtime rate. A company should also ensure the policy is favorable and allows for a healthy work-life balance.

Companies must also take a step further to ensure the HR team upholds and monitors these policies. Employees may be willing to commit time to work but want to ensure the company is not trying to promote exploitation. The company needs more hands if employees work 50-plus hours weekly to meet the demands and projects. Understaffed companies and overworked workers will hardly lead to long-term working relationships.

6. Hybrid Working

Hybrid working is a modern feature that employees tend to look out for in the present market. Hybrid working is a mix of virtual and office days. If a company seeks answers to what employees seek in the current labor market, then they must consider hybrid working as a factor. Hybrid working may not be for all positions, but companies can offer these operations where possible. Hybrid working gives workers more free personal time since working from home reduces waking and commute hours. For a company to succeed with hybrid work, the company needs to undergo a lot of training, planning, and organization.

7. Charity and Sponsorship

Many employees want to affiliate themselves with companies that give back to the community. That sense of moral uprightness keeps employees proud of themselves and their work. Companies can consider hosting charity events, giving to charities, sponsoring local events, or offering sponsorships.

Companies can partake in small ways to support charities and sponsorships. The effort can simply be providing food to local food banks or helping in soup kitchens. These companies can also ask workers to volunteer for these organizations.

Here are charity team building ideas.

What makes a company a great place to work

Cultivating a great place to work includes your physical space as well as your workplace culture. Creating optimal environments encourages new employees to join your team and existing employees to stay on board. Here are some ways to make your company a great workplace.

1. Clean and Functional Working Environment

An environment conducive to productivity is an essential factor that some companies overlook. Most firms provide a suitable office setting that will impress clients. A working environment should focus more on giving maximum functionality to the staff. Office spaces should be spacious, well-lit, and airy. An active cooling or heating system should be in place to fit the location’s weather.

Depending on rank, employees should have a spacious enough working table or office. The offices, departments, and sections should include a kitchenette, lounge, and cafeteria, if possible. Regular cleanups in the morning and evening are also important. Additionally, the restrooms should be clean and usable. Overall, a comfortable working space leads to happy and efficient workers.

2. Clearly Defined Tasks and Duties

Clearly defined tasks and duties ensure leaders assign workers tasks within their pay grades. When looking for how to make your company attractive to employees, consider that employees do not want to take the blame for superiors’ errors or get bombarded with tasks beyond their assigned roles. Defined task brackets encourage accountability and ensure only a competent and skilled worker handles the job. Besides, defined tasks prevent companies from experiencing setbacks or losses due to poorly completed projects.

3. Social Events

For many employees, social events are a crucial part of what makes a company a great place to work. A company should focus on work and work-related tasks and offer several social events yearly to boost team spirit and bonding. Extracurricular activities are also significant for mental health and client attention. These events can be as elaborate as a sports event, an out-of-town retreat, or as simple as indoor team building exercises and award shows. Individual teams can also have private social events, outings, and dinners outside company-wide events.

Check out these work social event ideas.

4. Meals, Freebies, and Subsidies

Companies do not necessarily need to offer meals, freebies, or subsidies, but these features can put the business in a good light for employees. For example, a company can offer free or subsidized lunch through a canteen or a partnership with a food business. Free meals or meal packs can be helpful for employees trying to save money or time. Companies can also offer employees freebies through coupons, vouchers, and merch at different times or occasions.

5. Reimbursement

Companies should have a policy on reimbursement for activities, events, and situations linked to the company. Refunds could be for fuel or parking when employees use private cars for company duties. Or companies can reimburse employees when they use personal internet and phones for corporate needs. Companies can place rules to ensure employees are not taking advantage of refunds. Some rules can include requiring a receipt for each purchase, reimbursing for activities done within working hours, or offering admin-approved overtime hours.

6. Loans

A loan facility is not a popular option in many companies, but loans can be an attractive feature. Companies that offer loans for cars, rent, businesses, renovations, and any other emergency or heavy financial need will usually attract skilled and loyal workers. Most companies will offer loans with low to zero long-term interest rates. The loan facility should be easily accessible to workers who have worked substantially with the company. A specialized section of the company’s HR team should handle and manage loan facilities and criteria.

What makes an employee loyal to a company

Employee loyalty is difficult to earn and keep. However, having a loyal staff is one of the most essential parts of maintaining a successful business. Turnover costs companies extensively in time and money, which drops productivity and slows momentum. To reduce the churn rate, companies must do their best to create a workplace where employees remain loyal.

1. Effective Communication System

An effective communication system is a top feature for any company, both externally with clients and internally with workers. Employees want a company that listens and is open to views, opinions, and complaints. A company that only dishes out orders and never stops to listen to the work staff’s viewpoints is oppressive and unapproachable. Regardless of a company’s size, an effective communication system should be within teams, departments, and sections. If possible, companies should regularly offer an anonymous suggestion or complaint box. Firms can also poll workers, where they can freely respond without fear of being reprimanded or terminated.

Here is a list of internal communication tips.

2. Leave and Time Off

Most countries’ labor laws demand companies offer workers days off and holiday leave within a minimum threshold. An attractive company usually gives much more than the minimum expected holiday time. Companies may offer standard options, including short- or long-term sick days, parental leave, public holidays, and vacation days. The firm should pay fully or partially for these days. Further, companies should enforce that workers take these days off for their mental health.

In some cases, companies can offer to buy a stipulated maximum amount of leave days from employees, but this is not a compulsory or popular option. In addition, leave and days off can come with rules and expectations. For instance, workers can only get a certain number of paid sick days for short-term health issues. Or perhaps workers must bring a doctor’s note to use the paid sick days. However, laws and rules should not place workers in a position of guilt or fear to use company-approved time off.

3. Leadership and Management

Efficient leadership and management can make employees loyal to their workplace. Leaders and executives should understand the allowances and limitations of company roles. Companies should not allow exploitation, maltreatment, and favoritism. Adequate training should be in place to ensure leaders know how to manage teams and members. A company should also ensure leaders are competent enough to handle roles and workers do not suffer from the leader’s errors.

Here are some qualities of good leaders.

4. Transparency and Accountability

Every company should operate a transparent system where workers can clearly understand what the company expects and what to do to thrive within the company. Transparency promotes accountability, ensuring no innocent person gets blamed for issues arising. A transparent and accountable system builds faith and trust in workers. Employees will know that actions have consequences, and no one will misplace blame for a colleague’s mistakes. Companies wishing to promote transparency and accountability should ensure that the policy applies to the whole team, regardless of position or authority.

5. Adequate Funding

A company notorious for falling short of funding for projects and tasks will not attract many potential employees. Poor financing will almost always require workers to use personal funds and means to complete tasks. Over time, workers will feel cheated and seek better employment. Companies, especially admins and executive staff, should consider funding a crucial issue and ensure employees do not use personal funds to handle company projects. Even if employees use private funds, swift reimbursement should be in place. The company heads must also ensure workers do not handle tasks beyond the assigned pay grade.

6. Hierarchy

Every company should include a hierarchy that highlights where every worker stands. The hierarchy defines workers’ position, authority, and limits. Without order, workers cannot determine who is above or below them, which can quickly lead to anarchy. Employees should be able to tell who their direct superior is, who the leader of the immediate supervisor is, and who has the final say on what. Hierarchy can also help employees know who to bring concerns to or make requests of. The ranking also lets workers know how to behave and react while playing office politics. A company hierarchy should easily link everyone back to the individual in the highest authority.

What makes employees love their jobs

Many factors contribute to employee satisfaction. While creating the perfect working environment may not be possible, companies can take intentional steps to increase staff happiness. Implementing these policies improves productivity, retains team members, and increases productivity. Here are some techniques businesses can incorporate to help employees love their jobs.

1. Respect for Personal Time

Companies trying to find out what makes an employee loyal to a company should understand the importance of personal time. After work hours, holidays, sick leave, and weekends are personal, and companies must learn not to disturb workers during those times. Other than critical emergencies, there should be no reason a company will call in a worker outside of working hours. To a large extent, respect for personal time includes no phone calls, emails, or texts. Company work belongs to working hours, and family duties belong to whatever hours are left.

2. Career Opportunities and Growth

Most career-driven employees are constantly seeking companies that provide career opportunities and growth. Companies that offer promotions, big or small, will attract many skilled employees. An excellent company will generally give promotions every 18 to 24 months. These promotions do not necessarily need to be significant position shifts.

A promotion from team leader to executive team leader is enough to keep employees happy. Of course, a bump in benefits or salary should follow suit. Career promotions should also be fair to ensure people do not feel ignored and unappreciated. Companies can operate a review system to ensure transparent and fair promotions.

3. Career Training and Development

Professional development is one of the top factors that makes a company a great place to work. Many employees are looking for companies willing to invest in workers’ training. The training can be through seminars, workshops, and courses. Career training could also be through diplomas and certificates. With most industries facing high competition, companies must improve workers’ ability to meet the latest client demands, expectations, and trends. When a company invests in training and development programs, it shows involvement in its growth and workforce.

Read about professional development best practices.

4. Modern Tools and Equipment

When a company asks what makes employees love their jobs, an easy answer can be providing modern tools and equipment. A company functions better when employees have access to necessary resources. Communication, productivity, collaboration, management, and general operations are faster and easier with the right tools.

Since technology is advancing, companies must regularly update and meet the latest tech to benefit clients and employees. These tools can be as small as using MS or Google office suites and paying for a company-wide subscription. Tools could also include other software and hardware that the company pays for and maintains.

5. Recognition and Praise

A company that recognizes workers’ efforts is generally attractive to employees. Many employees, by default, tend to do more if the company values and praises their efforts. Awards like employee of the month, best team leader, and the top team will build healthy competition and encourage workers to do more to earn recognition. Praise and acknowledgment are positive reinforcement techniques that benefit the worker and the company.

Conclusion

Employees know a company cannot be perfect in all aspects. However, employees genuinely want a company that recognizes and makes an effort to compensate workers in multiple ways for their dedication. Specific nonnegotiable points include days off, leadership, and a competitive salary. Companies can provide other benefits in moderation, like tools and equipment, benefits and bonuses, meals, freebies, and subsidies. With communication, companies can understand what employees want and put effort into fulfilling their desires.

For more information on developing an attractive company, check out these articles on the benefits of happy employees, the importance of professional development, and ideas for employee of the month.