Establishing an employee-first culture is paramount to creating a successful team! We need employees
to feel heard, respected, and appreciated. We want our teams to feel empowered and motivated, and to know that they are valued. But how?
Let’s take a deeper dive into an employee-first culture.
Employee First Culture. What does it do?
An employee-first culture helps to increase employee loyalty, as employees are more likely to
stay with a company that values them. Not only that, creating an employee-first culture is an
excellent way to ensure that your team is supported, valued, and motivated, which in turn can
lead to higher levels of engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity, as employees know their
opinions are being heard.
When employees feel supported, it can lead to increased customer satisfaction, creating a win-
win situation for everyone.
Deep Dive: A Lack of Top Talent
Have you noticed accounting firms in recent years have had trouble attracting all-star
employees? One might believe this is an overall industry decline due to recessionary concerns,
however, this might not be a main factor.
Right now, many college students are not pursuing a CPA license. While accounting as a major
in general will always be a top degree, less and less students are opting not to make this a
profession. Many students are opting out of a 5th year of college to help pursue a necessary CPA
license. Not only that, many just don’t want to work the long hours that comes with being an
accountant.
Engagement & Innovation
So how do we use an employee first culture to find and keep top talent? Let’s take a look.
Creating an environment where employees feel heard and respected is essential for fostering a
positive work environment. By listening to their ideas, opinions, and feedback, you can create an
atmosphere of trust and collaboration. This will encourage employees to take ownership of their
work and become leaders in their roles. By showing employees that their voice is truly heard, you can create a workplace where every team
member is valued and respected.
Less Turnover
Creating an employee-first culture is an important step in reducing employee turnover. When
employees feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to stay with a company. One way to
achieve this is by investing in employee development and providing regular feedback on
performance. Companies can also create an environment that encourages open communication
and collaboration, where employees feel like their opinions are heard and respected.
By fostering a supportive and positive culture, employers can create an environment where employees feel
valued and motivated to stay with the company. Always be open to feedback from your team and
understand the importance of taking time to develop strong relationships with each individual.
Let’s start to put employees first. But how?
- Listen!
It seems so simple but just listening to your employees can go a long way. We are here to help
you identify where employee health and wellness gaps exist and to provide you with the
resources and guidance to make improvements. We understand how important it is to have a
healthy and happy workforce, and we are committed to helping you create a workplace that is
conducive to employee wellbeing.
- Encourage!
Encourage your employees to take time away from work! This might sound counterintuitive but
taking regular breaks from work is an important part of maintaining productivity and mental
wellbeing. When employees step away from their work to recharge, they can come back feeling
refreshed and more focused. Breaks can be short or longer, depending on individual needs, and
can include activities such as taking a walk, grabbing a snack, or talking with a colleague. Taking
breaks can help boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve overall job satisfaction. It may even
be worth helping to pay for an employee’s gym membership!
- Support!
The flexibility of when and where an employee can work can be incredibly beneficial for both
employees and employers. It can provide employees with a better work-life balance, allowing
them to manage their own time and energy more effectively. It can also give employers the
opportunity to reduce costs associated with traditional office space, as well as access a wider
talent pool since location is no longer a barrier. Ultimately, allowing people to work flexibly can
create a more positive and productive work environment.
- Take the Time to Appreciate
Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work is a great way to show appreciation
and foster a strong team dynamic. Incentive programs and financial rewards are great ways to
recognize employees for their achievements, but simple words of appreciation can go a long way
too. By taking the time to thank employees for their hard work, you can show that you value
their efforts and encourage them to keep striving for excellence.