If you take a look at any successful business with low employee turnover rates, you will see that no matter what those businesses do, there is one similarity between all of them. That similarity is that all of the employees working there are happy and satisfied in the workplace.
But what makes an employee happy? Workers are mostly motivated by their salaries and how they’re treated at work. If you’re wondering how to keep your workers happy and motivated every day, the answer is quite clear. Take payroll seriously and treat everyone with respect.
If you’re ready to create a better workplace, these tips should help.
Decide between an hourly and salaried wage for your employees
For a worker to be classified as an employee and get their checks through payroll, they also need to be categorized as either hourly or salaried workers. The biggest difference between these two categories is that hourly workers have the right to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours a week.
Whether you’re going to hire your employees on an hourly basis or pay them a monthly salary will depend on multiple factors. This includes what kind of work you need to have done and what is more affordable to your business.
In most cases, it’s easier for businesses to hire salaried employees because it allows them to keep all of their payroll expenses consistent. No matter how much someone works, they will get the same salary every month.
But not every company needs salaried employees. Businesses that need to have more flexibility when they’re setting shifts and working hours often choose hourly wages.
Clearly state your business has zero-tolerance for harassment
Did you know that as many as 2 million people become victims of workplace violence annually? While that seems like an outrageous number, workplace harassment is much more frequent than some people realize, and it’s not talked about enough.
A high number of people who experience workplace harassment or misconduct don’t even report the incident for various reasons. Usually, the victims of this harassment are worried that their employers or managers won’t care about the incident, or otherwise, they fear retribution from the abuser.
Don’t let this happen at your workplace and clearly state that no form of harassment is tolerated at your company. Make it clear that anyone who experiences misconduct should feel safe coming to management about their issue and that the situation will be handled appropriately.
Additionally, you should take steps to ensure no type of harassment even occurs in the first place. For example, talk to your employees about how different types of groups should always feel safe and make diversity equity and inclusion in the workplace a top priority.
Keep up with tax requirements and labor laws
Tax regulations are put in place to make sure all companies are paying as much as they should in employment taxes. Labor laws are put in place to ensure employees’ well-being is protected.
Both of these laws are extremely important and they tend to change occasionally. If you fail to keep up with these changes, you might subject yourself to tax liabilities or perhaps calculate employee salaries incorrectly. And making a mistake can lead to significant fines or even lawsuits.
However, it’s also important to mention that 45% of small businesses outsource payroll. If you’re one of those businesses, you should make sure the payroll service you’re using is professional and keeps up with all the newest tax requirements.
Know how to choose your words
Showing employees respect starts by treating them as human beings. It doesn’t matter that you’re technically above them in the workplace and have a higher position, you need to speak to each employee like they’re your equal, which they are, essentially.
This is important for all businesses, including those that hire remote workers. Prioritizing clear and effective communication is one of the things you need to do if you want to implement a successful remote work environment just as much as you need to do in a regular office setting.
It’s not just about how you communicate but also about the words you use while talking with employees. Your tone should always be pleasant and supportive, even if you’re pointing out a mistake or explaining to an employee how they should do something differently.
Constructive criticism is a part of any job, and it’s often the only way you can help someone grow and improve. But too much of this type of criticism or using the wrong words while providing your feedback can be very debilitating to your employees.
Don’t forget to implement an “open door” policy so your employees know that communication is always going to be two-sided. The common belief in many companies is that management doesn’t care about the input from employees. So, don’t be one of those companies.
Conclusion
Having the desire to create a better workplace for your employees shows that you already are a great boss who cares and appreciates everyone who works for them.
You’re ready to take the necessary steps towards that improvement and now you know which areas you need to focus on the most. Ensure the payroll is always immaculate and that your employees are treated with respect and you won’t have a lot of other concerns.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
