A few years ago, when employees became dissatisfied with their organization, they would simply quit and get another job. Today, with a receding economy and reduced hiring budgets, few people feel the freedom to quit. As a result, something much worse is happening: employees “quit,” but they stay. Dissatisfied employees who stay are grumpier than ever; they display a lukewarm attitude towards their jobs and affect the morale, performance and productivity in their organization.
In the last year, research by Bayt.com showed that the overall job satisfaction in the Middle East has declined. According to the Bayt.com Job Satisfaction in the Middle East and North Africa survey, April 2015, the majority of the region’s employees (60%) are dissatisfied with their current jobs. The same survey also revealed that 43% of MENA professionals do not see themselves working for the same employer for the next two years, and 61% are actively trying to move to another organization.
Do you want to increase your employees’ job satisfaction? Your first thought may be to offer them a pay raise, but as it turns out, times are tough and the old adage was right: money doesn’t buy happiness.
1. Be transparent
Our Bayt.com research found that one of the key contributors to employee satisfaction is transparency. Money and promotions are great, but people also want to know the truth about the financial state of the company. The cost of improving transparency is almost zero, but it requires an ongoing dialogue between management and staff. According to the Bayt.com ‘What Makes a Company an Attractive Place to Work?’ poll, February 2014, 60% of respondents say the thing they appreciate the most about a company is when they know what’s expected of them at work.
2. Make work-life balance a priority
70% of polled respondents in the Bayt.com ‘Workplace Satisfaction in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, April 2016, say they are satisfied with their work-life balance. To engage the workforce and remain competitive, it is no longer sufficient to focus solely on money and benefits. Top employers are the ones who create an environment where employees feel connected to the organization and have a positive work experience that is part of a rich and fulfilling life.
3. Encourage communication
Businesses should take steps to create spaces where employees can easily communicate and share ideas. Casual conversations in the break room can become collaborative conversations. According to the Bayt.com ‘The Role of HR in the Middle East and North Africa Workplace’ poll, December 2015, ‘communication with staff’ was among the top three areas that need to be improved by HR departments across the MENA region.
4. Create a career pathway
Our Bayt.com research has found that providing developmental support, such as training opportunities and career mentoring, to employees goes a long way in boosting their job satisfaction. In fact, 85% of respondents in the Bayt.com Career Development in the Middle East and North Africa survey, January 2016, claim that career development is very important to them; 82% would leave their current company for better training opportunities. It is critical for managers to have regular career planning discussions with their subordinates. As part of training and development, make sure employees are aware of the different types of career paths or job opportunities throughout the company. The Bayt.com ‘What Makes a Company an Attractive Place to Work?’ poll shows that 20% of professionals in the MENA would like to work for an organization that offers them opportunities to achieve their best, while assisting them.
5. Recognize and reward employees
Achievement and recognition are high motivators for employees. If they take risks, reward them. Give them a gift card, an extra day off, tickets to a show, etc. The small rewards add up. According to the Bayt.com ‘What Makes a Company an Attractive Place to Work?’ poll, 24% of professionals in the region like to be publically recognized and praised for their work.
6. Help employees be healthier
The Bayt.com ‘The Role of HR in the Middle East and North Africa Workplace’ poll shows that two-thirds (66%) of professionals in the region feel that the HR department in their organization effectively promotes employee wellness. Today, we are seeing employers increasingly realize the importance that health and productivity programs can play in their efforts to control healthcare costs and maintain a happy and productive workforce. While the outcomes of any one tactic can’t be guaranteed, high-growth companies with thoughtful, multifaceted programs can reap clear returns on their investments in workforce health, as shown in the Bayt.com ‘Health and Lifestyle in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, March 2016.
7. Offer benefits beyond the salary
There are many ways to supplement salary by assisting employees in other areas of their lives. You can offer an extra level of life insurance for employees to protect their incomes, for example. Other benefits, such as dental and optical care, are also well-received by employees. Gym memberships and wellness programs are great perks to keep employees happy and healthy. It is important to provide ‘golden handcuffs’ so your employees know that you truly care about them. Here are six innovative alternatives to cash bonuses to consider.
8. Make employees part of the big picture
The best benefit you can provide to your employees is the opportunity to make a difference through their work. Clear and frequent communication on company happenings, individual and department direction, and big-picture company direction make all the difference in employee happiness, so make it part of your work routine. Five in 10 professionals in the MENA want to work for a company where they feel they are working for a greater purpose, as stated in the Bayt.com ‘What Makes a Company an Attractive Place to Work?’ poll. Do you have a mission and vision statement? Do you have a set of values that you can share with the world? Attracting and keeping top talent is directly related to the brand you create. Build one that clearly identifies you and your business and you will be able to attract (and retain) the brightest minds. Bayt.com offers Premium Company Profiles, a great way to create a page for your company to share your news and all the great things your company does with your stakeholders.
9. Keep in touch
When managers neglect to add extra kindling to the fire, they risk having their employees become exhausted and bored, and ultimately invite job dissatisfaction into their organization. Considering these facts, it’s always in a manager’s best interest to invest in engaging their employees and keep ‘showing the love.’ Bayt.com ‘Passion for Work in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, February 2016, provides some great tips to help you rekindle your employees’ passion for their work.
10. Ask employees for their input
Companies should consider surveying their own workforce to gauge job satisfaction levels. Insights from employees themselves can point employers in the right direction for shaping a more positive work environment. There are many job satisfaction surveys out there that you can download and use (here’s the free 2015 Job Satisfaction Survey in the MENA by Bayt.com). By partnering with employees to improve their satisfaction levels, employers reap business benefits, today and tomorrow.
