An ability to attract hourly wage workers and retain them will give you an edge over your competition. However, a failure to attract an hourly workforce or an inability to retain hourly workers will have dire consequences – a business without workers does not stay in business for long.
The competition for hourly wage workers is fierce. The current labour market is characterized by abundant job opportunities resulting in greatly increased bargaining power for workers. Simply put, it’s a seller’s market for hourly wage services, making employers need to reassess how they attract hourly workers and retain employees.
Thankfully, there are ways to tilt things in your favour – we’ve identified five proven strategies to attract and retain hourly wage workers to help you hire the best talent and keep your turnover to a minimum.
1. Show Them the Money: Competitive Compensation
Offering competitive wages is a proven method to attract and retain valuable employees. A comprehensive package for an hourly employee that includes fair pay at or above market rates, paid time off, and flexible working hours has been shown to increase application rates, improve retention rates, and reduce turnover.
However, to truly stand out in the current labour market, companies need to go beyond the standard compensation package. Many businesses are now offering sign-on bonuses as a powerful tool for attracting top talent, as it serves as an immediate reward for joining your company.
Referral bonuses are another effective recruitment strategy. They encourage your existing employees to recommend people from their networks who they believe would make great additions to the team. Additionally, performance-based incentives can motivate your employees to strive for excellence, increasing productivity across your organization.
A well-paid worker is a happy worker. By providing these additional benefits packages to retain hourly employees, you create a sense of loyalty within your team, leading to increased productivity, higher job satisfaction, and reduced turnover rates.
1a. Show Them the Money… On-Time!
While this is related to our first point about competitive compensation, it’s so important we’ve broken it out into its own item – timely payment for hourly wage workers is crucial. This cannot be overstated.
Salaried employees in management can sometimes forget that many hourly workers are often working paycheque to paycheque, and any delay in payment can cause significant hardship. Ensuring your workers are paid in a timely fashion that meets their expectations will make your workers feel secure and build loyalty that will keep them on the payroll. Delays in payment will cause only resentment that makes retaining hourly workers difficult.
Furthermore, how you prioritize your worker’s payment will communicate your values loudly and clearly. Mistakes and issues will happen. When it happens for you and a worker’s pay is delayed, treat it like a big deal to that worker and ensure it is resolved promptly. In this way, an issue with payment can become an opportunity to build a deeper bond with your workers.
2. Make Them Better: Career Development
Providing opportunities for learning and career advancement is a proven way to attract employees and retain workers. Employees who feel invested in are more likely to remain loyal to their company and go above and beyond. This, in turn, leads to increased productivity, better customer service, and, ultimately, greater profitability.
Training programs are an essential component of an employee development strategy. They can be used to teach new skills, improve existing ones, and ensure employees are up-to-date with the latest industry standards. Offering training opportunities also demonstrates that your company is committed to the professional growth of its employees, greatly increasing employee satisfaction and motivating them to strive for excellence in their work.
Mentorship is another powerful tool for employee development. Pairing less experienced workers with more seasoned employees who can offer guidance, advice, and support can be hugely beneficial to both parties. Mentors have the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and expertise, while mentees gain valuable insights and skills that can help them advance their careers.
Career development opportunities go beyond training and mentorship. Working with employees to set goals and develop plans to achieve their career path, whether that means advancing to a higher position within the company or transitioning to a different role altogether, will make your employees feel valued.
Investing in employee development is a win-win for both employers and employees. By offering hourly workers training programs, mentorship, and career development opportunities, you demonstrate that your company values its employees and their professional growth.
3. Make Them Feel Heard: Communication
Transparent and consistent communication is vital in creating a positive work environment for hourly wage workers. Not only does it create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, but it also empowers employees to voice their concerns and ideas.
One effective way to achieve this is by holding regular team meetings. These meetings can be used to update business operations, address any concerns or issues, and gather employee feedback. Additionally, one-on-one discussions with managers can be a useful tool to maintain a more personal level of communication and build a stronger working relationship.
It’s also critical to be transparent with your employees. This means being upfront and honest about company policies, expectations, and any changes that may affect the business or the staff. Providing clear and concise information can foster trust and a sense of security among employees, reducing any potential conflicts or misunderstandings.
And remember, communication is a two-way street. Employers should communicate with employees and actively listen to what their employees have to say. Encouraging feedback, suggestions, and opinions from staff can not only improve communication but can also help identify areas for improvement in the workplace.
Consistent communication should be a core aspect of your overall management strategy. Truly effective communication is not just about adopting an open-door policy or holding occasional meetings; it’s about making communication a regular and sustainable part of your corporate culture.
4. Take Care of Them: A Safe and Comfortable Work Environment
Nobody wants to work at a place where they’re worried about their safety. This is why it’s so important for employers to invest in their facilities, equipment, and technology upgrades to achieve a safe and comfortable environment for employees.
When it comes to safety, we’re not just discussing preventing physical injuries, either – emotional safety is also a crucial factor. Feeling like you’re being mistreated or disrespected can significantly impact your mental health, which can ultimately affect your physical health as well. That’s why it’s critical for employers to create a culture of respect in the workplace.
Creating a comfortable work environment is essential as well. This can include things like ergonomic seating and monitors, proper lighting, and appropriate heating and cooling systems for the building. When employees are comfortable, they’re more productive and less likely to suffer from stress-related illnesses.
Safety and comfort are not just nice-to-haves for your workforce but essential components of a successful business. Employers who invest in creating a safe and comfortable work environment are demonstrating to their employees that they are valued and respected. And employees who feel valued and respected at their job are more likely to stay with the company long-term.
5. Celebrate Them: Employee Appreciation
Showing gratitude towards your staff for their contributions can significantly impact their motivation, job satisfaction, and loyalty towards your organization.
One of the simplest ways to show employee appreciation is by providing feedback regularly to hourly employees. Constructive feedback will help employees improve their performance and feel valued and important. Feedback can be given in various forms, such as one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, and peer-to-peer feedback.
Celebrating milestones is another way to show your employees that you appreciate their hard work and dedication. Whether it is an employee’s work anniversary, a team’s successful project completion, or a company milestone, recognizing and celebrating these events can boost morale and promote a positive work environment.
Employee recognition and appreciation are critical aspects of building a successful and positive company culture. You can create a workplace that fosters positivity, employee engagement, motivation, and productivity by implementing regular feedback, celebrating milestones, and acknowledging employee contributions. These things will profoundly impact your employees’ motivation, job satisfaction, and loyalty toward your organization.
Recruitment and Retention: Your Competitive Edge
In a crowded job market, standing out as an employer who values and invests in its workforce is essential. By implementing these five strategies, employers can attract and retain top talent in the current labour market and enjoy employee benefits from a motivated and productive workforce.
Let your employees’ satisfaction and fulfillment be your secret to success. Investing in employees’ growth and well-being, paying them well, keeping them safe, making them feel heard, and celebrating their achievements will benefit your employees and provide your business with an invaluable competitive edge over your rivals.
