Looking to find the right business to join for the next stage of your career? In this article Sally Evans, Director of Operations at Making Moves, shares five positive signs to look out for when searching for an appreciative and supportive employer.
There are so many different aspects to consider when searching for your next job, whether you’re at the very start of your career or looking to make your next big change. While choosing the right role and field are all crucial, finding an appreciative and supportive workplace is just as important. The attitude and workplace values of your employers can have a huge impact not just on your everyday work life, but your progression in your chosen career.
But how exactly can you find an employer who appreciates the hard work of their team and makes the success of their employees a main priority? Below are five positive signs when it comes to finding a supportive and appreciative employer.
They’ve created an enjoyable workspace
For many of us, the office we work in has a significant impact on our mood and motivation. This in turn can impact our productivity, so choosing a business with a workspace you can envision yourself enjoying is a great idea. As well as making the time you spend at work more enjoyable, this may also be a sign that the business is supportive of employees. An employer who spends time and effort crafting a pleasant and productive workspace for their team clearly value the comfort and well-being of their staff.
There are a few factors which can transform a good workspace into a great one, so try to look out for the following:
- A collaborative workspace for sharing ideas
- Relaxing areas for taking breaks
- Ample comfortable lighting to prevent eye strain
- Décor to brighten the workplace up, such as artwork or plants
- Comfortable seats and good quality desks
Of course, not all employers choose to decorate or design their offices themselves. They often get interior designers or workspace consultants brought in to create a functional yet visually appealing workspace environment. Professional input from interior designers and workspace consultants will make sure that the space not only looks amazing but also meets the team members’ needs. Outsourcing to these professionals allows companies to create an environment that increases productivity while leaving a positive impression among the teams.
They trust their employees
Trust is key for any healthy dynamic, and that goes for the relationship between employers and employees. Feeling trusted at work will make you feel much more like a part of the team, and it shows you that your employer sees you as a person and not just a worker. There are a number of signs that an employer has trust in their workers, such as offering hybrid work options, flexible start times, and being honest about how the company is performing.
It is also important for this trust to go both ways, as you should have trust in your employer as well. Sadly, a large portion of the population doesn’t have this in their workplace, with the Edelman 2023 Trust Barometer finding that 24% of UK workers don’t trust their employer. Choosing an employer who trusts you and you can trust in return is sure to make your working experience a more positive one, so find an open and honest business to build this healthy working relationship. You can look on employee review sites such as Glassdoor or Indeed to see how others feel about the company to get an idea of how trusting the relationships are between employers and employees.
They offer various perks
A supportive and appreciative employer is one who cares about your well-being, both inside and outside of the workplace. So, if a business you’re interested in working for offers a range of perks, this is a good sign. There are a variety of different types of perks to offer, from vouchers and discounts via employee benefits platforms such as Perkbox, Juno and Reward Gateway, to fun social events for the team paid for by the company.
As well as these everyday perks, you should also look for how an employer you’re interested in working for rewards their employees. If they show them recognition and reward them in an appropriate way, such as a small gift for small wins, or a bonus or pay increase for major results, this is a sign of an appreciative and supportive employer.
They look to your future
Employers who are truly supportive of their team will want to help them achieve their career goals. While most employers will believe in doing this in principle, as a job-seeker you will want to find the businesses that practice what they preach. When on the hunt for a new employer, look for places which clearly help their employees work to the best of their abilities by providing them with the tools and guidance they need to perform the job to the best of their abilities.
During the application or interview process, you may also want to ask about how the company helps employees accelerate in their careers. The employer may have some interesting information they want to share, such as details of training courses funded by the business or mentorship programmes. As well as helping you find out more about the business, this question will also show your potential employer that you are serious about the role as you’re already interested in progression.
They want your feedback
If you’re looking for an employer who values the opinions and advice of their employees, this is an important thing to look out for in the interviewing process. Employers who ask for feedback don’t just show that they value their employees’ suggestions, but it demonstrates that they want to support their staff by making the workplace better for them. So, in the interview or application process, ask if employee feedback is gathered and how often. If they have a suggestion box or an open-door policy for feedback, this is a great sign.
Check to see if they have an employee engagement survey provider. That’s usually a sign that they take the opinions of employees seriously. If they’re working with an external provider, it’s often a sign that they get real value from learning what employees think and then adapting to their needs.
Choosing the right workplace can have a huge impact on your productivity and work well-being. By keeping an eye out for the signs above, you should be able to find an employer who appreciates, supports, and respects their workers. For more job-hunting advice, make sure to check out the other articles on the Graduate Coach blog.
Featured image by: fauxels
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