It’s not about money: Things employees value more than salary

Everybody is interested in what are employers looking for. How should a perfect worker look like: kind, smart, funny, 3+ years experienced, communicative, flexible, creative and bla bla bla. But who cares about employees? In a modern fast-paced world, working a job you hate only because of money is not a something you should bear anymore. Nowadays the employment market full of opportunities and give employers a wide range of choices. A sense of caring is demonstrated by an employer who motivates people to invest so much into their job and company, gives them a sense of professional and personal fulfillment, and makes them want to stick around?

So, to keep and attract best talents companies should give more than just a competitive salary. Telling the truth — money is far away from the top point for employees. Here is the list of things that better than money.

Company culture

Every good company has its own list of values. Good relationships between employers and employees should stand on these core basis. If you’re on the same wave with your employees it gets work done and motivates others to do the same without dwelling on the challenges. Positive attitude in the workplace, transparent relationship, feelings of trust, respect can build a stronger connection with employees.

Challenge

Employees today also value the opportunity to develop and grow — maybe even beyond the role they were hired for. This is especially true of Millennial workers. LaSalle survey showed that most people ranked opportunity for growth as the number one factor when considering a new role. Millennials mostly consider work as a powerful platform to learn new skills, stretch their potential, and become better versions of themselves. So, a place with online training or onsite workshops, opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and explore new ways to contribute would be a perfect place to work in.

Offer meaningful work

What do I mean talking about “meaningful work” — it’s a job that corresponds with individual values and interests. It could be negotiating relations with opinion leaders or filing documents. Everyone is different, which means we’re able to do different work. Sounds perfect and it is. The employer’s task is to find the person’s purpose of life. Feeling of self-value is not worth the money. Even, according to psychologist Frederick Herzberg — author of The Motivation to Work — people seek gratification based on higher-level psychological needs such as achievement, recognition, responsibility, advancement, and the nature of the work itself. Things such as pay raises, working conditions, and job security are secondary.

Visibility

Nothing demoralized employees more than invisibility of the work they did. Everybody wants to get credits they deserve for good professional traits. The best way to do it is simply giving a public recognition inside the company and sometimes outside the company for a job well done. Don’t spare your time on praising workers by giving them a simple reward or making a symbolic gift. It’s natural for people to want recognition for an outstanding performance, just give it to them and they will stay with you for years on end.

Promote diversity

If the company promotes equality in a working environment, except divers individuals not only with race but with gender, sexuality, and other identities — it will be definitely a plus at the Millennial employment. Considering such work benefits as a part of company values means a lot. It’s like a companies’ message that they value people’s uniqueness and do not expect them all to act one way.

Foster a collaborative environment, not a competitive one

People, in general, want an enjoyable place to work. For millennials, that means a place that is not cutthroat. According to The Intelligence Group, 88% of millennials prefer a collaborative environment to a competitive one. Working with enthusiastic, positive, energetic people who’re at the same time professional at their fields and share professional values is like a gift from heaven.

Offer creative perks

In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to achieve work-life balance is increasingly difficult, so it is more important than ever for people to find a job that respects and encourages the balance. In fact, a FlexJobs survey found that 84% of working parents said work flexibility is the number one most important factor in a job, with the work-life balance a close second at 80%. Furthermore, 50% of the LaSalle survey respondents said work-life balance ranked third in order of importance when considering factors of a new role. People just want perks that will add to their work-life balance and career advancement such as:

• Free gym memberships
• On-site daycare
• Flexible hours
• Unlimited paid time off
• Work-from-home
• Continuous education
• Parental leaves