Meaningful Work In and Out of the Workplace

Meaning. Humanity is on a constant search for it. We don’t just ask questions like, “What is the meaning of life?” either—we look for meaning in each day, moment, and area of our lives.

If we’re an employer, we also think about meaning for our employees.

How do you ensure that your team is finding meaning both in and out of the workplace? It starts with finding out what motivates them. Then you have to determine how you, as an employer, can help improve their work-life balance.

Is Compensation Still King?

The average employed U.S. adult works 1,811.16 hours per year, according to 2015 data analyzed by The Pew Research Center. Why are we working so hard? Is it because of the money? While this used to be the case in the past, more and more employees point to other factors as their primary motivator on the job, such as benefits, incentives, and scheduling flexibility.

“With dollar-compensation no longer the overwhelmingly most important factor in job motivation,” the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange once wrote, according to an article in The New Yorker, “management must develop a better understanding of the more elusive, less tangible factors that add up to job satisfaction.”

Ways to Making It Meaningful

Creating that job satisfaction is the key. Employers have been saying for decades, “love what you do and never work a day in your life.” Effective management gives the employee the tools to be successful in and out of the office. If you’re struggling with where to start, here are a few ideas to help your employees:

• Encourage professional development: Knowledge is power, as they say. When your employees are learning, they are gaining confidence in their ability to do their jobs properly. Consider making professional development time part of each day.
• Implement a payroll card program: Want to bolster meaningful work and give your employees financial peace of mind? A payroll card with pay access can give them the flexibility they need to address unexpected bills or late fees. With Spentra, they can even access up to 50% of their net wages any time before payday.
• Be flexible when it comes to scheduling: Employees won’t find meaning if they’re treated like robots. Show that you care about them and prove that they are a human by being understanding about scheduling issues that pop up. If you can create a positive work-life balance for employees, it will help them find meaning in work.
• Foster positivity and open communication: Your employees shouldn’t be scared to approach you. Make it clear that they can come to you if they have questions or needs.

Interested in seeing how Spentra can help your employees focus on meaningful work in and out of the workplace? Contact us for a demo today.