Running a business can be stressful (as Nick and I can testify!), but taking time to show staff they are appreciated is vital to a positive culture and, ultimately a successful business.
Small gestures can have a big effect on lowering staff turnover and contributing to the overall company brand and values. Here are some ways to show your team you really care that have a low monetary value but a high impact:
Regular social events
This can be big scale ‘away days’ but smaller more ad-hoc things can work just as well (if not better) whether they be a couple of drink after works, a month end long team lunch or something more active!
Ad hoc incentives
Looking to hit a goal in the month? How about end of month pizzas or a half day for the team if the goal is hit?
Be a considerate boss
Staff want a boss who is approachable and is will take problems and concerns seriously, both professional or personal. Always be polite, say hello, say thanks, offer a tea or coffee if your making one and generally show interest in their lives.
Flexible working
Ok not always from day one, but giving employees the opportunity work flexibly costs nothing (save for investing in a cloud based CRM). Flexibility can go a long way to helping employees juggle their work and personal lives, and showing them you take well-being seriously.
Birthday off policy
Giving employees their birthday off work (regardless of workload!) is a great way to show the team you care.
Invest in your workspace
Not every business has a huge open plan office with high tech gadgets looking over the city sky line but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a great workspace. Consider things like slim line PCs, natural light, big windows, a water cooler, plants and background music (all things we have a Thornton Legal HQ by the way! – go us).
Whether you’re a manager in an international legal giant or high street firm, it’s vital to show staff you care about them, without them you don’t have a business. Falling into the trap of high staff turnover can be fatal. Look after you team and they will look after you.
Thornton Legal is a leading recruitment agency, working in private practice across Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands. Main locations include Liverpool, Chester, Preston, Manchester, Leeds, Shropshire and the surrounding areas. At Thornton Legal we work with partners, solicitors, paralegals and legal assistants across a range of practice areas including (but not exclusively) corporate, commercial property, employment, litigation, private client, family and residential conveyancing.
