The days of posting a help wanted notice and waiting for candidates to line up are over. Employers must now actively compete for qualified talent, and especially for top talent. When job seekers have choices, they’re not going to leap at an opportunity simply because it’s available. That’s why companies of all types must make themselves attractive places to work and continue working. Start by offering what today’s employee wants. Some of these entries will look familiar, while others reflect emerging trends:

• Telecommuting Options – The appeal of working from home is obvious, and technological advances have made it easier and more accessible than ever. Employees in 2016 would like to have the option of working from home either regularly or occasionally rather than repeat a day at the office endlessly.
• Universal Time Off – Time away from work has typically been segmented into sick days, vacation days, personal days, etc. This system is uselessly complicated and ignores the fact that people need time off for lots of reasons that may be personal or complicated. Having one system/standard for time off is the alternative employees are looking for.
• Scheduling Input – A theme you will notice throughout this list is that today’s employees want to strike a better balance between work and life. One of the biggest obstacles to that is the rigid scheduling in most offices. Giving employees more input/autonomy over when they work helps them coordinate obligations in and out of the office.
• Professional Development – The opportunity to learn new skills, earn a certification, or go back to school is a priority for many in the workforce right now. Being flexible about scheduling and potentially offering tuition reimbursement help your employees to develop professionally.
• Wellness Programs – Our jobs are often the biggest drains on our health. Workers are fed up with getting sick and soft and now expect employers to institute wellness programs. These programs facilitate healthy eating and exercise and are an easy way to offer a perk and boost performance at the same time.
• Lifestyle Perks – These are basically any perks that make it easier to strike a work/life balance. They can range from on-site day care, to transportation assistance, to subsidized gym memberships. Top talent is eager to work for companies that accommodate their lifestyles rather than consume them.

Offering any or all of these perks requires a relatively small investment on your part. In most cases, you simply need to give employees back a little more of their time. In return you become known as an exciting and supportive employer and your ranks swell with talent. Learn more about enhancing to your workforce by contacting the staffing professionals at Morris Bixby.