If you own a cleaning company, then you know the number one issue you have is turnover. Finding quality employees is hard enough, but keeping them can be an even bigger challenge.
While the cleaning industry is one of the fastest growing in the country (more than 10% job growth is expected in the next six years), it also has one of the highest turnover rates – more than 200%.
There are many factors that can lead to this rate, but one that ranks highest is a negative workplace environment. According to the Harvard Business Review, high workplace stress leads to an increase of 50% in voluntary turnover. More so, it can lead to higher health care costs, 37% higher absenteeism, and 60% more errors.
Having a positive workplace culture can increase loyalty, productivity and overall quality of life, which can help reduce turnover. Happy employees also mean the quality of work is increased, which can mean increased contracts and an improved business reputation.
Improving workplace culture doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Even the smallest adjustments can increase the positivity within your business. Below are some steps you can take now to help improve your culture.
1. Show Your Employees That You Care
Did you know that 69% of employees say they would work harder if they felt appreciated in the workplace? An employee is less likely to give extra effort to a job if they feel belittled or ignored by their boss. Also, if they are having difficulties in their personal life, both familial and economic, and a superior shows little empathy, an employee’s work productivity can decrease. The fix? Interpersonal relationships!
Engaging with your employees regularly, taking part in light conversation and asking about their lives can show them you are interested in their feelings and thoughts. Check in with them if you’re aware of a challenge they are facing to let them know they matter. Even a smile, a firm handshake or a pat on the back can help an employee feel cared for.
2. Emphasize Teamwork During Onboarding Training
When onboarding new staff, whether it requires extensive training or a simple meeting, make sure to emphasize the value of teamwork within the organization. Helping set that expectation early on will let them know that teamwork (and therefore honesty, loyalty and hard work for the benefit of all) is highly valued.
Whether they are working with others with similar positions or working alongside others with different positions, helping the staff feel like they are part of a team that functions together can help increase their loyalty to the company. When employees work together as a team, they feel a sense of ownership in the company. By knowing that others rely on them and appreciate their contributions, employees will be more likely to work through professional challenges they face and want to stay with the company.
Increasing employee engagement investments by 10 percent can increase company profits by $2,400 per employee per year. Reinforcing those feelings of comradery with off-site team activities can also increase the likelihood of employees staying with the company longer, therefore increasing your bottom line.
3. Replace the Word “Problem” with the Word “Opportunity”
It almost seems too easy to be true, but language counts for a lot when you are engaging with your employees. If you use the word “problem” when discussing workplace performance, an employee can feel anxious and defensive. It also reinforces a positive attitude and an environment where your employee feels safe to discuss solutions.
Using the word “opportunity” also helps the employee feel that there is room to grow and learn from mistakes, thus allowing them to trust you and want to improve their performance. It also opens up a dialogue for the employee to feel they can come to you when they face challenges or have questions, which helps them become proactive individuals.
The next time you have to talk to an employee about their performance, back into the conversation from the angle and frame the discussion around the opportunities they have to learn and become better at what they do.
Using these easy tips can help increase your workplace environment, drive productivity up and turnover down. Have you implemented these steps? Let us know by sharing your feedback below!
