Setting clear expectations for your employees is an important responsibility that many business owners overlook. Clear employee expectations benefit not only your employees but also your company as a whole.
Your employees are your company’s most valuable asset. They are the ones who bring the energy, skills, and experience to propel your company forward and build success in your market. They are also the ones who will make or break your brand’s reputation in the eyes of your customers. And anyway, “happy employees make happy customers” is a statement we’ve all heard before.
What are Employee Expectations
Employee expectations are the assumptions, anticipations, and behavior that employees expect their employers to take. This greatly affects employee satisfaction. Because when an employee receives what they expect from their employer, they usually feel more valued.
Why is it necessary to manage employee expectations?
Strong employee expectations management will reduce turnover and improve retention rates. According to one study, 48 percent of employees left a job because it did not meet their expectations. The likelihood of job dissatisfaction decreases with increased transparency about the nature of a job, the demands and pressures, and opportunities for advancement.
Employee morale rises when employees have a clear understanding of what to expect from their company. Higher morale leads to greater team unity, purpose, and productivity.
Today’s Business Employee Expectations
Employees have a positive work experience when their expectations are met. What are the most important expectations of employees in today’s workforce? Let us explore.
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Positive work Culture
Culture can make or break an organization. A positive culture will motivate employees to perform and achieve the organization’s objectives. A toxic culture, on the other hand, can lead to low employee morale, which leads to low employee retention and high employee turnover.
Culture is the organization’s personality. Every actual and potential aspect contributes to it. As a result, a company must establish core company values to keep everyone on the same page.
According to jobvite.com, 46 percent of job seekers consider company culture to be extremely important when applying to a company.
The statistics above reveal a lot about what employees expect. The work environment and a positive work culture attract employees and are potential reasons for rejecting an offer.
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Recognition
One of the most common mistakes that employers make is assuming that all their employees care about is money. True, most people work to support themselves and their families. Positive reinforcement and appreciation for a job well done or extra hours put in to meet an important project deadline, on the other hand, cannot be overstated.
Saying “thank you” with a kind word, note, or email doesn’t have to be expensive, but the impact on loyalty and appreciation is immeasurable.
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Work-Life Balance
Too often, employers see their employees as “resources” who simply carry out a set of tasks. The best employers try to remember that their employees are also human beings who should be treated with dignity and respect.
Juggling personal and family responsibilities with job-related tasks and expectations is one of the most difficult challenges that employees face in today’s workplace. People who work in high-stress jobs or who are required to work long hours or shifts frequently bring their work concerns home to their families.
They frequently sacrifice weekends or holiday time with their families because work “gets in the way.” This arrangement is neither good for the employee nor the employer, and it is neither sustainable nor healthy in the long run. The best employers look for ways to enable workplace flexibility so that their employees can achieve the elusive work-life balance.
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Respect and Trust
Most people go into their jobs with good intentions. Employees expect to be trusted to do the right thing and not to be constantly monitored or checked upon. There’s no faster way to instill resentment or apathy than to “hover” over people or question their motives and commitment.
Similarly, leaders and managers must communicate with and interact with their employees. Every person has the right to be treated with dignity. Fear will not help you. Raising your voice, using vulgar language, or bullying will not help you create and sustain a positive workplace culture or promote employee loyalty.
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Transparency
Transparency is an important component of the Expectations of Employees. The openness shared by the employer and the employees is referred to as transparency. Employees are only invested in their work when they are aware of the company’s small/large decisions. Also, when you are well informed about any upcoming business strategy.
People want to be a part of something. People feel fulfilled when they are a part of a larger story and their efforts are recognized.
As a result, employees seek an open door policy. Companies must encourage them to inquire and express their concerns. It will encourage them to openly and proactively discuss work issues. Also, show them respect, which will increase their productivity and keep them satisfied.
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Feedback
Feedback is a great morale booster. Every employee expects feedback to help them perform better. It is critical for their development and understanding of a job for them. Miscommunication can occur as a result of a lack of feedback. In addition, there is employee dissatisfaction in the workplace.
When it comes to redirecting employees, managers or leaders must master the art of providing feedback. It appears that pointing out problems in a way that allows employees to see the silver lining is a difficult task for them. Many people fail at it, but the good news is that employers can learn it over time.
Conclusion
As you can see, modern business employee expectations are diverse. It is more about giving employees a positive experience in order to keep them happy and satisfied. Keep your employees happy, and they will look after your company.
Learn more about how to meet your employee expectations and start taking action to make a positive impact in your organization with QuestionPro Workforce.
