We know that engaged staff are happier, they communicate more effectively with each other, work better in team environments and are more productive overall.

Employees who feel valued tend to have better mental health outcomes and it creates a more positive culture, which leads to lower staff turnover and even some good old- fashioned loyalty.

But the question facing so many employers, in a primarily small employer state, is how do you show staff you value them when still facing serious budget restraint with salaries and wages?

The answer does not necessarily lie with big budget retreats or gift baskets at Christmas.

There are plenty of simple ways to increase engagement and make employees feel valued without taking out another loan.

Food is a great start. Whether it’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, a shared brunch to celebrate an announcement or Good Friday hot cross buns, everyone loves to share over food. That could extend to the boss inviting a dozen randomly selected staff to a casual lunch to chew the fat, off the record, several times a year. And that’s when you walk the talk on transparency and staff are invited to ask anything – yes, anything. One of my staff members recently asked me at such a lunch how often I shaved my head and how I did it. And another asked me why I drive a Skoda Yeti. Go figure.

Casual Fridays help staff loosen the tie and, combined with a gold coin donation to different charities each month, gives everyone a sense of contributing together.

Does your office have a footy tipping competition, watch the Melbourne Cup together, or run a Bachelor sweep? Will the Honey Badger truly find love? You may not care, but a lot of your colleagues might, and it will probably encourage them to talk to each other on a Monday morning when they’re tired and grumpy.  

Does your workplace offer staff time off for volunteering? Do you get together and plant trees once a year?

Let’s face it – we all hate working on our birthdays. How about offering staff one bonus day-off a year, to be taken on their birthday or a Monday or Friday if it falls on a weekend? Everyone loves to do something nice on their birthday. This has been enormously popular at Business SA!

Kids Day has been a great way to show working parents we recognise the difficulties they have in school holidays. It doesn’t have to cost much if the kids bring their own lunches, and parents can be rostered on to look after the kids on an hourly basis.
Of course, money in the pay packet matters – but also thinking differently about simple staff engagement tools might just help cut turnover and lead to a happier, less stressed, healthier workplace community.

This article was first published in the South Australian Business Journal on Tuesday 15 May 2018.