How to Keep Up with Employee Expectations?

By now, The Great Resignation, also known as the Big Quit or the Great Reshuffle, has become the talk of the corporate world, with more than 48% of employees seeking a career change. However, the biggest surprise of the event was that this widespread phenomenon was not merely the result of unsatisfactory salaries; it was a culmination of multiple factors including the desire for a  better work-life balance and meaningful company culture.

More than anything, employees want to feel like their employers care about those working under them and when these criteria aren’t fulfilled, employees only deem it fit to quit. This can not only curb employee turnover but also prevent the company from tapping into top talents that can help its growth.

In meeting employee expectations, there are usually four important steps involved:

• Identifying What the Expectations of an Employee are

The best and easiest way to find out about employee expectations is to ask them and build upon their answer. However, it is only possible when the employees are provided with security, confidence, and the scope for honesty without negative retaliation. Employees should feel safe enough in their workplace to voice their honest opinions and concerns, and employers must provide them with the assurance that they are being taken seriously. When morale takes a hit, surveying employees merely for metrics isn’t enough - the focus must be on gaining authentic feedback. Then the next step would be to check for recurring suggestions and trends in responses and put some serious thought into them.

Some of the most universal expectations that employees now have include: 

1. The option of hybrid or remote work
2. Jobs with flexible work schedules
3. A workplace that encourages employees to have a work-life balance
4. Opportunities for mentorship, career development, and growth
5. Work that keeps monotony at bay
6. A workplace where they will not be micromanaged.

• Acknowledging Their Expectations

Instead of resorting to mere emails, the employer can start leading from the front and be someone employees can look up to. Recognition for hard work is something every employee expects and rewarding them for their hard work is a step in the right direction. Also if employers want to bring about a change in their workplace, they should be the first ones to embrace the new changes that align with the expectations of their employees and set an example. While some expectations might be trickier to fulfill, they should be open to experimentation until they figure out the best way to implement them.

• Implement Reforms to Meet Those Expectations

Implementing reforms within the company to make it more amicable is a big step, and takes a lot of work and time to get everyone to come around to accepting them. The best way to do it so to announce the changes officially by putting it up on the company’s websites and advertising it outside the company as well. It not only solidifies the fact that the reforms are in motion but also helps build intrigue and catch the attention of candidates. A company that promises its workers a safe and comfortable professional space, would be more sought-after and help attract more talented individuals into the candidate pipeline. It also helps build a good reputation for the company in the market.

While these are some of the ways employees can feel the drive to work better, they are not enough as employees’ behavioral expectations also remain an integral part of how they feel about their workplace. If the jobs and managers do not align with their behavior, no amount of incentives or benefits can stop employees from quitting. It is therefore extremely important that a healthy work environment with helpful and able managers take precedence over all else in a company to retain their employees.