25 Ways to Enhance Talent Recruitment and Retention at the Workplace

1. Introduce a wellness program.

Wellness starts with introducing programs that offer periods of optional exercise, weight loss challenges or physical screenings. Healthy people are happy people, so give them an opportunity to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

2. Host an optional period of meditation.

Designate a time and place where your employees can sit and meditate before getting back to work. Provide yoga mats to define the space.

3. Hand out a map of nearby restaurants for new hires.

Onboarding new recruits is essential for any successful hire. Provide a map of nearby eating establishments in their welcome package so that the new hires have an easier way to navigate the area.

4. Consider establishing a casual dress code.

While some people have an easier time working in a suit, others remain focused in casual clothing. A bonus with this tip is that employees don’t have to worry about having their jacket pressed or their slacks dry-cleaned—which saves them time and money.

5. Supply good coffee.

Don’t settle for just “hot caffeine.” Providing different types of coffee helps cater to the individual’s coffee palette. Consider supplying more creative and fun options to drink, such as energy drinks, flavored water, etc., to keep your employees energized for the day ahead.

6. Provide good snacks.

Your team needs nourishment. It’s easier to focus when your stomach isn’t grumbling and your mind isn’t constantly wondering if it’s time for lunch.

7.  Ensure comfort and ease for your team with ergonomic solutions.

Ergonomic furniture helps keep workers efficient and comfortable in his or her personal workspace, while allowing them to focus more on the tasks at hand. Have the workspace designed for the worker, not the other way around.

8. Stock your supplies closet.

To keep your office running, you’re going to need the right tools. Make sure your office supply closet has enough paper, ink, pens and pre-inked stamps so it doesn’t hinder productivity.

9. Update tech now, not later.

Leverage technology to optimize project management. Keeping up with the changes will ensure your team’s production is always moving forward.

10. It’s time to bring the outside in.

Those dusty, artificial plants are not doing much for the workplace environment. Replace with succulents or easy to maintain plants to lighten up the area and give your team fresh air, too.

11. Make the breakroom a place people want to go.

Supply a new coffee machine or splash a new color on the walls. Experiment putting some board games like Jenga, a deck of cards or a ping pong table in the area to see if it helps your team loosen up. The breakroom should be a place to be rejuvenated, not drained.

12. Give each employee a personal “To-Do” notepad.

Creating a “to-do” list will lessen the pressure of the tasks and make it seem much less daunting than it actually is. It could be as simple as handing out stacks of sticky notes in different colors.  Or, go the extra mile and design your own branded notepad.

13. Design a T-shirt with your brand.

Consider designing a T-shirt or polo with your company logo on it and hand out to employees to help become even stronger advocates of your organization’s brand.

14. Start a company donation box.

Lending a hand outside of the office is a great way to connect your employees and make a difference to the outside community. Designate a box to put old clothes, toys or appliances that others will be able to use a second time.

15. Assemble an “Imagination Station” for your team.

Use the empty space of your office as a collaborative area. Put comfortable couches and movable tabletops to accommodate an impromptu meeting.

16. Create an inviting welcome.

First impressions matter. During the interview process, prospective hires will envision themselves working at your facility. Using unique, comfortable furniture in the lobby will project the culture of your company.

17. Place a “phone booth” in the office.

It doesn’t have to be a real pay phone, but it could be as simple as designating a corner in the breakroom where employees can take private phone calls. Having a few outlets for charging and some comfortable seating for the longer calls will definitely make an impact for those employees who still seek privacy but work in an open floorplan environment.

18. Hold annual events.

Host a company picnic or banquet to get everyone together outside of the office to relax and have fun.

19. Be ready for cold and flu season.

The number of flu cases starts to increase in October and can last as late as early May. Keep your office stocked with hand sanitizer, tissue boxes, disinfectant spray and offer complimentary flu vaccinations to help keep everyone at the office healthy.

20. Pick up a mug rack.

Leaving a mug rack in the breakroom will encourage employees to bring their personal mugs. This helps eliminate the use of  disposable cups. You can also print your company logo on mugs to supply to your team.

21. Draw up a doodle wall.

Make a chalkboard wall with plenty of chalk to let your employees blow off steam and let loose their creative abilities. It can also give you the opportunity to spread positive messages every day with a “Quote of the Day.”

22. Hold company volunteer days.

Helping the community promotes fellowship and unity. Get together on a weekend to clean up the beach or hold a canned food drive and celebrate afterwards with a cookout or pizza.

23. Nurture a great management team.

Cultivate your management team through impromptu meetings, manager retreats and inspirational lectures from outside sources.

24. Celebrate anniversaries and birthdays.

Send out a card with all the employees’ signatures to recognize birthdays or personal anniversaries. Likewise, take the time to send your employee an acknowledgement recognizing how long they have been a part of your team, and how much you appreciate his or her loyalty to the organization.

25. Develop a value-driven culture.

Establishing a guideline on the values and standards that are to be held for your organization will help maintain the social and ethical expectations of your team. Creating a culture may take some time, but with constant reinforcement, the culture will start to define itself.