Some employees are actually happy in their jobs these days, and for good reason. The wave is starting to swell as more and more agencies are truly taking care of their employees. From a half-day off per week to allowing them to pick up their kids from school to telecommuting, agencies are thinking about how their employees feel and taking care of their personal needs. Surprise! Employees really are happy. After all, what other agencies or companies these days would even think of such things? Enlightened agencies are identifying their employees’ needs and satisfying them. Needless to say, revenue is increasing, morale is up, employees are sticking around, and overall efficiency is increasing.
TAKE A HALF-DAY OFF
Yes, some agencies are giving employees a half-day off with pay. Agencies pay their employees for a full 40-hour week and give them the half-day off of their choice. Employees can schedule doctor appointments, be at home while a special service is performed, or run errands during that time. Remember those instances when an employee had to run home to open the door for the rug cleaners or take one of their children to the doctor? Think about how much more efficiently the agency could run with a consistently full staff most of the time. It could eliminate disruptions throughout the day and result in a higher quality of work. After all, employees know they have their half-day off to take care of personal needs that might otherwise be on their minds. Morale goes up, and work remains up-to-date.
PICK THE KIDS UP AT SCHOOL
'Sally has a temperature, and the school nurse called me to pick her up.' 'I don’t want Sally riding the bus today. I really need to pick her up at school.' How often have you heard these kinds of concerns from parents? One agency allows an employee to do this every day. Apparently, the employee wanted to make sure that the child wasn’t riding the bus every day. They wanted to be there when the child left the school grounds. Believe me, the employee is very grateful to have this opportunity. After all, what other company would allow this benefit? Again, morale and efficiency increase.
TELECOMMUTE WHILE THE BABY’S SLEEPING
Enrolling young children in preschool is now very common. Parents drop off their children at school in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. One employee wanted to do just that. They wanted to pick their child up and make sure they were home with the child in the afternoon. That’s what one agency did for its employee. The agency furnished a computer for the employee’s home and forwarded the employee’s telephone calls there. Is the employee grateful? You bet, more than anyone could ever know! The employee is very happy, and the agency is working more efficiently.
HELP EACH OTHER TO PREPARE FOR VACATION TIME
Vacation time! When aren’t we excited to go on vacation? But as we all know, that means an up-to-date desk. One employee thought of having a co-worker cover phone calls for two days so that they could get their desk caught up before heading out on vacation. Of course, it meant there would be a payback time. But the vacation started on time, and the employee was excited to be out the door on Friday. Again, another very happy employee, and another very happy agency. Efficiency is up. Morale is up. Employees are sticking around.
These are only a few things I’ve heard about in my work. I’m sure there are plenty more. Agencies are riding the wave and listening to their employees to make them happy. From that half-day off to schedule a doctor appointment to CSRs covering for one another to take vacation time, more and more companies are realizing how important it is to keep their employees happy. Revenue is up. Morale is up. Efficiency is up, and turnover is reduced!