Succeed As Your Own Boss

ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE

  • Home
  • About
  • Book Melinda
  • Consulting
  • SBL Store
  • SmallBizLady University
  • Free Tools
  • Podcast
  • #Smallbizchat
    • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • We’re Hiring!
You are here: Home / Guest Articles / Employees Share the Top 10 Factors That Truly Matter in Workplace Care

Employees Share the Top 10 Factors That Truly Matter in Workplace Care

February 23, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Sponsored by MetLife.

Often as business owners, we think we know what is best for our employees, but things tend to work best when you ask for direct employee feedback. Today, we’ll discuss specific employee feedback and recommendations for small business owners on what strategies to implement to better support employees. Here are the top 10 “must haves” for demonstrating care, according to employees surveyed for MetLife’s Employee Benefits Trends Study deep-dive into small business trends:

 

  • Pay and/or pay raises (including any bonuses, overtime, etc.)

Considering the current economic landscape, it’s unlikely that financial concerns will go away any time soon. As such, it’s easy to understand why compensation ranks as the top driver for demonstrating care. That said, more than one in three workers with poor financial health said they aren’t paid enough for the work they do. Providing the fairest compensation possible is critical to employee happiness. 

 

  • Safety & comfort of the work environment

No matter what the industry, employers can boost employees’ psychological safety by helping each team member feel safe, valued and welcome at work. Beyond this, providing a safe and comfortable work environment will look different across industries and roles. For instance, while employees working in the construction industry might value safety equipment and comprehensive protocols, safety for employees working in a retail environment might include measures such as surveillance cameras or security personnel to protect the vulnerability of retail workers to theft or other security concerns. Identifying and investing in measures relevant to your employees can promote a safe work environment that ultimately allows employees to be as productive as possible. 

 

  • Support from my manager(s)

68% of employees say having a supportive manager is a “must-have” component of care. Managers play a significant role in an employee’s day-to-day experience at work, their workload, growth trajectory, and more. As such, it’s important for small businesses to arm their managers with the training and tools needed to support and lead their teams successfully. No matter the sector, senior leaders need to be equipped to foster the family-like atmosphere to make your business a great place to work. 

 

  • The extent to which I feel trusted by my employer

Creating a high-trust environment is a win-win for both employees and employers, as it inherently builds a positive culture, a sense of accountability, and more. Employees who feel trusted by their employer will likely feel empowered at work and comfortable sharing their ideas for how to improve and make processes more efficient for better end results. 

 

  • The benefits offered by my employer

As a small business, it can be challenging to provide comprehensive and affordable benefits, while also managing the rising costs of simply running the business. Indeed, small businesses likely do not have the financial ability to provide the “big business” benefits – but even a small investment into workplace benefits, programs, or voluntary benefits (like legal plans and pet, dental, vision, and disability insurance) can make a big difference. The most important consideration is which benefits are most important to your workforce. 

 

  • My current working hours/days of the week worked

According to MetLife and the U.S. Chamber’s Small Business Index, almost seven in 10 small businesses intend to offer flexible work schedules this year as a strategy to retain and attract talent. What’s more, 48% intend to provide remote or hybrid work options. Flexible schedules can help employees manage their work-life balance goals and better maintain the matters in their personal life that are important to them without having to say “no” to shifts. 

 

  • Leaders listening to/acting on employee feedback

Small business employees are interested in providing greater input regarding their employee experience, with 61% saying listening to and acting on employee feedback is a “must-have” component of care. With this in mind, employers should consider ways to actively solicit – and implement – feedback. As I mentioned earlier on, there is no better way to determine what employees want than by asking them directly. Use online survey tools to ask for their thoughts, and I recommend doing so multiple times throughout the year. 

 

  • Recognition of my performance/hard work

72% of small business employees say that feeling valued and appreciated for their work is one of the most important ways to define a successful work-life. Employers can showcase their appreciation for their employees in many ways, such as through internal award programs, employee of the month shoutouts in company newsletters, verbal acknowledgment of a job well done during team meetings, or even team outings (e.g., lunches to celebrate the closing of a good quarter for the entire team).

 

  • Openness/transparency of my organization’s communications

Transparent communication from leadership is a crucial component of care, according to 61% of small business employees. Especially during times of uncertainty, transparent communications can go a long way in building a sense of community. Being honest about your businesses’ goals, objectives, and struggles are small moves you can take to build a close-knit culture of honesty. Transparency can also help build trust with employees. 

 

  • The level of paid/unpaid time off I have

Paid leave is the number one desired benefit among small business employees. Among small business employees who have access to paid time off, 76% say they intend to remain at their employer in 12 months’ time and 70% say they’re satisfied with their work. Unpaid leave can help retain and motivate employees, while also directly boosting outcomes for employers. 

 

78% of small business employees say that their employer has a responsibility to demonstrate care, but that number does drop to 60% when employees were asked if they feel cared for when working. There is an opportunity on the table right now for employers to consider new ways to support their workforce. 

What suggestions from the above list will you consider for your workforce this year?

 

 

The views of this sponsored blog post are solely those of the author, Melinda Emerson. 

 

About the sponsor: 

The MetLife Small Business dedicated website has more information and resources for small business owners looking to find the right mix of benefits that can help attract and retain top talent. You can also connect with a small business expert or build a plan for your business that you and your employees can feel confident about. Find out how MetLife can help you achieve your business goals and offer the benefits employees want.

 

Feel free to share...Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on google
Google
Share on linkedin
Linkedin
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Share on print
Print

Filed Under: Featured Post, Fix Your Business, Guest Articles, Your Small Business

Fix Your Business Now!

Order SmallBizLady's new book Fix Your Business, 90-Day plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. It includes the 12 Ps of Running a Successful Business and readers will finish the book with a new strategic plan to take their business to the next level.

About Melinda Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert. She is an internationally renowned keynote speaker on small business development, social selling, and online marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target the small business market. Clients include Amazon, Adobe, Verizon, VISA, Google, FedEx, Chase, American Express, The Hartford, and Pitney Bowes. She also has an online school, www.smallbizladyuniversity.com, that teaches people online marketing and how to start and grow a successful small business and publishes a blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner

Sign up for the SmallBizLady BUZZ Newsletter and be the first to receive updates and details about upcoming events:

We’re proud to be part of the Mediaplanet Empowering Small Business campaign! The COVID-19 pandemic brought hardship and ruin on the nation’s small businesses, but there’s now reason for hope. Learn about the resources, support, and tools available to help your small business bounce back and grow stronger than ever by picking up a copy of the campaign in USA Today and reading it online here.

Get a FREE Chapter of SmallBizLady’s Book,
"Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, Revised and Expanded"!

Become Your Own Boss

Most Popular Posts

>Seven Ways to be More Profitable in Your Small Business
> 7 Ways to Attract Customers to Your Small Business
> 6 Tips for Managing Small Business Finances
> How to Run a Successful Multilevel Marketing Business
> 10 Ways to Grow Your Small Business With Instagram
> How to Sell on Facebook
> How to Get Over the Fear of Starting a New Business

Featured Videos

Bloomberg News Interview
How to Support Small Businesses During the Holidays

National Speakers Association
Winter Conference

Fox 29 Philadelphia
'Small Biz Lady' gives best advice for starting a new business in the New Year

Fox Business
Starting a Business

MSNBC
The importance of job mentoring for women

#SmallBizChat Live
National Small Business Week: Q&A

Good Day Philadelphia
Expert Shares Tips on How to Become Your Own Boss

Testimonials

Become Your Own Boss is a must read if you’re thinking of launching a business of your own.
Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
Great step-by-step advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
The perfect companion for those planning to go out on their own. Melinda delivers firsthand practical advice on how to be the successful entrepreneur. Read it if you want to get it right the first time.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
If you are looking for a versatile speaker who can talk about how to grow small businesses or get started with social media, look no further.
Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
Her wit and depth of subject knowledge were entertaining and empowering. Melinda is definitely on our short list of seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders we look to invite back in the near future.
Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

50 Best Free Apps for Small Business Owners

Running a small business requires wearing multiple hats—operations, marketing, finance, customer service, and more. Fortunately, there’s a wide range of free tools that can help you streamline your processes, increase productivity, and save money. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a growing team, these 50 best free apps for small business owners are powerful, practical, […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

Recent Posts

  • 50 Best Free Apps for Small Business Owners
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Reinvent a Legacy Business with Rich Trotter
  • May 2025 #SmallBizChat: How to Position Your Brand with Multicultural Markets
  • How to Tighten Your Sales Infrastructure (Before Your Bank Account Screams for Help)
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: How Giving a TEDx Talk Can Benefit Your Business with Dr. Dan Young

#SmallBizChat

  • SmallBizChat Archive
  • @SmallBizLady

Business Advice

  • How to Start

SmallBizLady Store

Products

Free Chapter

Get In Touch

  • FAQ
  • Be a #SmallBizChat Guest
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2025
Quintessence Entertainment, Inc
PO Box 280
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
(610) 352-0680
Privacy Policy · Refund Policy

Let’s Connect

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • tiktok
  • pinterest
  • linkedin
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • feedburner