Being a Best Place to Work means that your employees vouch that they want to work for you. It doesn't mean that you have to be a Facebook or a Google. Glassdoor's Best Places to Work list is not vertical specific. In fact, the list covers every vertical, and there is no mold for winners. Be good to your employees and you'll reap the rewards! Not only does it mean you are doing the job right, but it also means that your employees like working for you.
Here are the 5 most common traits of Best Places to Work winners:
TRAIT #1: People Matter
Ever heard the saying that you are who your friends are? Well your company is only as good as the people that it's made of, and good people attract other good people.
A majority (65%+) of Glassdoor users read at least 5 reviews before forming an opinion of a company. (Glassdoor.com U.S. Site Survey, November 2019)
QUESTION EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD BE ASKING
What differentiates my company from my competition?
ACTION PLAN
- Ensuring your people matter checklist:
- Find people that enhance your culture
- Have high hiring standards
- Don't let candidate quality be sacrificed
TRAIT #2: People Feel Heard
In order to become a Best Place to Work, there has to be transparency from top to bottom at an organization. It's impossible to achieve that without listening to your employees.
QUESTION EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD BE ASKING
What do my employees say are the pros about working here?
ACTION PLAN
Average Companies: Send company surveys to get in touch with their employees and evaluate feedback
The Best Companies: Send company surveys and close the loop on their strategy to fix any existing problems
TRAIT #3: People Can Grow
Now that we've talked about the people at your organization, it only makes sense that we'd help point out one key trait that will keep those people at your company when you have them - opportunities for career advancement and training. Employees are most engaged when they are not stagnant. The best companies keep their employees challenged, constantly developing new skills and in a state of learning.
92% of employees think having access to professional development is important or very important, second only to compensation
According to a 2019 survey conducted by Better Buys, The Impact of Professional Development
QUESTION EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD BE ASKING
What do my employees say could be improved at our organization?
ACTION PLAN
Average Companies:
- Approve any training
- Keep employees in the same roles they were hired to do
- Don't have a clear action plan for growth in each review cycle
The Best Companies:
- Send employees to trainings that they'll actively use on a day to day basis
- Present new challenges and career opportunities to keep employees engaged
- Have clear action plans to address each review period
TRAIT #4: Leaders Matter
In order to ensure that you remain a Best Place to Work amongst candidates, it is vital that you have a clear vision and constant reinforcement of the direction that the company is headed.
Common themes among highest rated CEOs on Glassdoor:
- Clear vision for the future
- Strong leadership
- Motivates employees
- Personable and approachable
QUESTION EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD BE ASKING
What do our employees think of our management team?
ACTION PLAN
Average Leaders:
- Indecisive with the tough decisions
- Prioritize being liked
- Usually make the right decision
- Do not communicate often
Strong Leaders:
- Tough and decisive
- Prioritize being respected over being liked
- Have confidence in all of their decisions
- Communicate and ensure everyone knows where the company is headed
TRAIT #5: People Feel Appreciated
When managers make their people feel appreciated, employee productivity and engagement increase, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association. And another researcher has found that employees demonstrate greater efficiency and better outcomes when they believe their peers and superiors respect and appreciate them. And it's easier than you think to engender a culture where appreciation and mutual respect are the norm. In short, it's about keeping lines of communication open up and down the reporting structure and between colleagues. For managers, it means providing a steady cadence of authentic feedback that's specific instead of generalized, truly listening to the aspirations of your people, and letting go of rigidity in leadership style to allow team members to shape their own approach.
QUESTION EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD BE ASKING
Do employees feel engaged at our company?
ACTION PLAN
- Touch base early and often
- Provide regular performance feedback
- Address growth opportunities
- Offer flexibility
How managers at your organization actively support and develop their direct reports matters and will show up in company reviews. To get involved in the conversation on Glassdoor and start managing and promoting your employer brand reputation, unlock your Free Employer Profile today.
