Strong Company Values and Growth Opportunities Enhance the Employee Experience

Laurie McGarvey, Director of Employee Engagement at Morgan Properties

Employee turnover and resignation both increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and companies are still feeling the effects today. When retaining talent becomes difficult, the human resources team can step in to re-evaluate the employee experience and ensure that individuals feel heard and supported. Morgan Properties has found that the best way to enhance the employee experience is by supporting leaders and managers in upholding solid company values and providing robust and meaningful development opportunities.

Strong Company Values Create a Sense of Community and Belonging

Maintaining strong values is critical in promoting a positive workplace culture, no matter the business type or size. At companies with a national footprint, employees may not be proximate to one another, reducing the opportunities to spend time with colleagues both in and outside the office setting. However, HR teams can help create a strong community by promoting values that encourage collaboration and resonate with employees. One of the key things employees want to know is that they are cared for and about. Employees need to be able to trust their managers, and managers need to be able to demonstrate care and provide ongoing feedback and dialogue consistently.

Start by identifying your company’s foundational beliefs. What’s important to company leadership? What do your employees care about most? If you could describe your company culture in one word, what would it be? Asking yourself these types of questions will help you develop a list of keywords that represent your company’s vision and goals.

"A positive employee experience is crucial to an organization’s growth and success."

Once these values are finalized, it's the responsibility of the HR team to make sure they are learned and practiced by serving as strategic business partners to managers and leaders. The HR team can uphold values in an employee's day-to-day role by igniting passion, demonstrating respect, and prioritizing diversity. These values provide countless benefits to an organization's work culture. They promote a strong work ethic and provide individuals with the freedom to communicate and collaborate openly. In addition, such values help employees from all walks of life feel accepted and appreciated for their unique qualities. These values cultivate a work environment where employees are empowered to leverage their diverse perspectives, which results in increased collaboration and creative problem-solving.

Ongoing Growth Opportunities Generate Long-Term Success

Another strategy that has proven to foster community and increase engagement is to offer robust resources, support, and mentorship opportunities for employees, both new and tenured. It's critical that talent development and training are offered at all levels of the organization so that employees can develop leadership skills and grow into their entrepreneurial spirit.

Today, a growing portion of the U.S. workforce is comprised of Millennials and Gen Z. The next generation of employees expects significant professional development opportunities to enhance their personal and professional skills. The HR team, in collaboration with the learning and talent development team, can assist by creating programs that are tech-savvy, cater to different learning styles, and are available in self-paced, virtual, or in-person formats.

These training sessions are also essential for retaining seasoned employees. Companies must ensure that longtime employees believe they can excel in their current positions, learn new skills, and earn promotions. Continued training is most successful when it focuses on developing skills in management and leadership, employee engagement, coaching and performance management, and diversity and inclusion.

A positive employee experience is crucial to an organization’s growth and success. The HR team can play a vital role in enhancing the work environment – both virtual and in-person, by collaborating with leaders and managers to ensure the company maintains strong values and invests in development opportunities that empower employees both personally and professionally. HR departments can lead the way in coaching and partnering with the business, its leaders, and managers to consistently ensure that an employee is heard and valued.