Best Ways to Earn Your Employees' Love -- The Results Are In!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

A few weeks back I invited folks to rank order 21 ways to earn employees' love for the company and the results are in. Here is how the perks rank (remember, people had to rank order the 21 items so the lower the average score the better). Also, I've included the original descriptions of these perks that appeared on the blog posted by the CEO of SurePayroll, Michael Alter -- the blog that got this whole thing started.

You'll see that you can't buy love on the cheap.

#1 is...Give Them Managers Who Know How to Manage People (average ranking: 2.3) All the perks in the world can’t overcome working for someone who is a jerk. Choose and retain people for management because they can bring out the best in everyone they work with.

#2...Positive Words and Opportunity to Succeed (average ranking: 2.6) Studies show that workers who receive regular praise and are given an opportunity to do what they do best every day are more loyal and more productive workers. As if we needed a study to realize that!

#3...Office Ambiance (average ranking: 5.5) Dingy walls and cramped quarters don't do much for employee love. On the other hand, employees love to work in an office that is stylishly designed with ample room and great furniture.

#4...Ownership (average ranking 6.0) Give employees a piece of the equity pie and everybody's interests are suddenly aligned.

#5...Learn, Baby, Learn (average ranking 6.7) For many people, it's not just what they earn, it's what they learn. Invest in employee training and you'll soon have a more loyal, not to mention more skilled, workforce.

#6...Friends (average ranking 7.5) People who don't have friends at work are more likely to quit. Those who have friends are more engaged at work. So do something that encourages friendships…start an office book club, for example.

#7...Free Parking and Transportation Reimbursement (average ranking: 8.2) Instead of raising salaries, offer to pay for parking or train passes instead. It's a small gesture but employees will appreciate it. And it's tax deductible.

#8...Casual Dress Codes (average ranking: 8.5) If I had a dollar for every employee that's quit a job because the dress code was too formal, I'd be a rich man indeed. At SurePayroll, we are very carefree when it comes to dress codes and our employees appreciate that very much.

#9...Surprise Holidays (average ranking: 8.5) Everybody loves a day off, especially if it's not on the holiday schedule. Want to put smiles on the employees' faces? Announce a day off out of the blue.

#10...Free Food and Drinks (average ranking 11.0) Having free sodas in the fridge and free snacks on the break room counter are tried and true techniques. Keep the snacks healthy and you'll win a few extra points for being concerned about employee wellness.

#11...Proximity to Public Transportation (average ranking: 11.2) Location, location, location! Most folks will trade salary for a shorter, easier commute. If you have a convenient location, you can count on a broader selection of employees.

#12...The Latte Machine (average ranking: 11.7) Throw out the cheap coffee maker and invest in a high-end coffee heaven maker.

#13...Bring in the Masseuse (average ranking: 12.5) Last but not least, when the going gets tough, the tough get a massage. Make your office stress-free by bring in a masseuse once a month — or during your busier, more stressful times.

#14...Great Parties (average ranking: 13.3) Companies that party together stay together. Take time out to celebrate and do it in style.

#15...Dinner for Two (average ranking: 15.1) Don't forget to pamper spouses and partners too. Treat employees to a night out with their loved ones and you'll earn twice the love.

#16...Flu Shots for Everyone (average ranking: 15.9) I wasn't so sure about this one, but after two years of providing flu shots, I’m sure our winters are more productive with happier, healthier employees.

#17...Call In the Ice Cream Truck (average ranking: 15.9) When the ice cream truck pulls up in front of your business and gives your employees free ice cream, you’re sure to earn a few employee loyalty points.

#18...Tickets to the Big Game (average ranking: 16.0) Surprise your employees with an outing to the local ballgame.

#19...The Game Lounge (average ranking: 17.3) Foosball, billiards, air hockey, your favorite game console, or even something as low tech as Checkers or Monopoly -- let the games begin!

#20...Beer (average ranking: 17.5) One reader wrote me that he has a keg tapped in his office every Friday afternoon and that employees love it. I'll drink to that!

#21...Movie Afternoons (average ranking: 18) All work and no play makes for a dull workforce. Fire up the conference room projector every Thursday at 2:00 PM and show a movie. Don't forget the popcorn!