How to build a sustainable workforce for your company?

A people-first approach is a philosophy that focuses on valuing employees equally, offering the same opportunities to everyone and fostering a safe environment to put forth and suggest ideas. The massive changes to the way in which people work in the past couple of years have helped expose the structural weaknesses inside organizations today. In this article, we will focus on a few practical ways to help your company build a sustainable workforce for the future.

1. Well-being
2. Identify skill gaps
3. Active listening and learning
4. Hybrid model

1. Well-being, mandatory for a sustainable workforce

Workers in the 21^st century not only want better compensation. They also desire work-from-home options, flexible schedules and career advancement opportunities. Companies with some of the highest retention rates prioritize employee well-being and offer more perks besides higher salaries and paid time off. In order to create a strong and sustainable workplace, employers need to focus on caring for both the physical and mental well-being of their team.

2. Identify Skill Gaps to secure the future

Employers who provide opportunities to strengthen skills demonstrate to employees that there is room to grow, progress and develop within the company. The most common causes for gaps in company performance are:

• Poor leadership
• Unrealistic expectations
• Lack of clarity and communication
• Disengagement and lack of motivation

By identifying skill gaps, companies can pinpoint the issues that are affecting their employees the most and craft a plan to close them. Tracking metrics and performance is one way your company can establish clear goals and expectations for the entire team.

3. Active Listening and Learning

It’s important to note that companies with a strong learning culture also have a 30-50% higher employee retention rates compared to those that do not. Higher-performing companies also place great value on communication and active listening. Make sure big announcements and changes to any company-wide training or learning programs are communicated immediately and to the entire staff. Ask for employee input and actively listen as to how you can help them achieve their objectives.

4. Hybrid Workplaces, key for a sustainable workforce

With an increase in work-from-home employees and hybrid workplace models, this method of working is here to stay. This change in the working environment has resulted in the need for companies to change their strategies and policies. In order to build a sustainable hybrid workforce, encourage a growth mindset among employees. Analyze your strategies consistently and regularly ask for employee feedback to increase satisfaction. The more involved your team is in the creation of a hybrid workplace, the more invested they will be in maintaining sustainable and productive practices for the future.

Fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among your employees is difficult to quantify but the effects are invaluable. By creating a safe and efficient workplace, treating every employee equally and offering opportunities for learning and advancement, organizations will be more likely to achieve a sustainable company culture and workforce.