Employees are a company's greatest resource. If a company can't create satisfied employees, the employees will find a company that can. "I'm outta here!" fumes one fellow, dissatisfied with the lack of recognition from both management and staff.
The cost of employee turnover ranges from $10,000 to $40,000 per employee holding an average job within a moderate-size company. The cost may be higher for small companies wherein the employee may serve in several roles. According to the Harvard Business Review, a 5 percent increase in retention can result in a productivity gain of 25 percent to 65 percent. The cost is clear. Companies cannot afford to lose employees.
While a lower salary may lead to job dissatisfaction, a top salary does not guarantee job satisfaction and retention. Research reveals that a work environment that helps raise a person's self-esteem will actually result in more satisfied workers. It's a simple concept. People who feel good about themselves at work will work harder, be more efficient and will ultimately be more satisfied.
So, how do you raise employee self-esteem? Studies show that employees need to feel they are an important member of the company team, actively involved and making a positive contribution. They need to feel that their efforts are recognized and appreciated. This requires management to treat employees with respect and praise.
Management must communicate openly expectations and employee responsibilities, then reward efforts and accomplishments liberally. This information is reinforced by reports that 79 percent of employees who leave their jobs cite "lack of recognition" as a key factor.
Lack of recognition may be the simple result of someone not looking capable of making a real contribution deserving recognition. It's a common sight. Wearing jeans or khakis with a T-shirt, polo or rugby shirt, the look is like an intern still in training. Wearing spandex two sizes too small, exposing too much skin and finished with flip-flops, the look suggests provocative fooling around, distracting valuable time away from business.
The fastest way to raise employee self-esteem is to improve the way he or she looks. It's a simple, time-tested concept. Look better, feel better, do better on the job. It's the process of image management. It isn't enough to provide product or technical training, continuing education in sales and marketing, without also including image management education — the most visible credential of all.
Looking like you mean business, comfortably fit, appropriately professional, more organized and efficient, employees will benefit from increased self-esteem and self-confidence. Employees will experience increased capability; improved performance and productivity. They will be recognized as being professional, receiving more respect and better treatment from others, including praise for effort and achievement.
When one looks and feels better, both mental and physical health can be expected to improve. Absenteeism will decrease — just another benefit of image management. Twenty-five percent to 45 percent of the money spent on salaries goes to absent employees, the actual amount depending on the size of the company. An image management program is actually quite a wellness program, well worth the investment to keep employees on the job and satisfied with themselves and their work.
Making the work environment a positive and professional place to spend the workday and workweek, makes good business sense.
Judith Rasband is director of the Conselle Institute of Image Management and author of numerous publications on dress and image. Contact her at 801-224-1207 or judith@conselle.com. For related image information, visit www.conselle.com and www.LDSImageIntegrity.info.