Employer of Choice

Here is a list of five principal factors considered by most workers.

1) The company. Does the company have a solid history and a good reputation? Is it stable? Is the company respected in its industry as well as in the community? Are the products and services worthy - do they have a positive value for society? Are they produced well and is quality valued? Is the company socially conscious and environmentally sensitive?

2)The culture. People want to work for a company with high values and standards. They want a culture of inclusion and a sense of community. Today’s workers are not interested in status barriers. Traditions, rituals, and history are important as threads that weave together the community.

3)Enlightened leadership. Even though the most influential relationship in any company is usually between the worker and the worker’s immediate supervisor, people want to be well-led from the top of the organization. They expect leaders to think and operate strategically always looking to the future. Senior executives in Employer of Choice companies emphasize the strategic value of people. Leaders are visible and accessible, reaching out to others. They embrace change, making continual change and improvement comfortable for all.

4)Care of people. Quality of life issues are increasingly important to workers in today’s fast-paced, active world. A home-like, safe, and healthy environment is expected today. People want good working conditions, flexibility, and lots of recognition. They want their families involved and they want to know what’s going on. A good internal communications system is a common characteristic of Employers of Choice.

5)Growth and opportunity. Personal and professional growth is strong motivators today, as employees concentrate on their future marketability. Whether they stay with one employer or not, people want to choose their own circumstances. Staying current makes that choice possible. Supervisors become advocates for employee growth, encouraging people to take training, gain new experiences, and participate in the company’s mentoring program. Fast-track opportunities abound.