Being an employer of labor isn’t easy. This is especially true when you’re in the midst of hiring a new employee. From finding the right candidate to making them feel valued, there are a lot of things that need to be considered before adding someone to your team.

You’re a leader who is in charge of not just your business but the employees who work within it and your clients, too. The responsibilities don’t stop there. You’re also responsible for their safety while they’re on the job and ensuring that everyone is following company policies. That’s why it’s important to remember these six tips that every employer should hear.

1. Respect your employees.

You may think that giving your employees a hard time is how you show them they’re valued. In fact, it may be the opposite. Employees who are respected by their employers feel more confident in their position and work harder to ensure everyone’s success. If you want to be an employer that people will remember for good reasons, then take the time to get to know your employees, their goals, and what makes them tick.

Build a relationship of trust and respect, and you’ll be surprised at just how much they can accomplish. The way you treat your employees is just as important as the work they’re doing for your company. You should show them appreciation and try to put yourself in their shoes before reacting to something they’ve done wrong or offering new work goals.

.

2. Encourage and reward good behavior.

Employees need encouragement to do their best. This could be in the form of a pat on the back, a thank-you note, or even just telling them how proud you are of them. How best you can reward them is what to consider when texting employees after work hours. Rewards don’t have to be expensive but they should be meaningful to the employee. It could be dinner out, a day off with pay, or a gift card, just to name a few.

The reward doesn’t have to come from the budget either. If you’re really grateful for your employees then show them through your words and actions. Everyone wants to be appreciated and it will make them feel like they’ve made the right choice when accepting your position with this company. You can also set up a system where employees are able to reward one another for doing something great.

.

3. Be transparent with your employees.

Your employees might be nervous about new hires or changes in the company. This is completely normal but it’s important not to keep them in the dark when considering their thoughts, feelings and fears. Instead of acting on your own thoughts, listen to what they have to say before making big decisions that will impact everyone.

The more open you are with your employees the easier it is to lead them. When you’re transparent, they feel like they know where they stand and that their opinions matter to you. This builds trust between you and allows them to depend on each other when a situation arises instead of going to the boss every time something happens.  Make sure they know all company policies so there aren’t any questions left unanswered when a situation comes up.

4. Company policies are important.

Your employees need to be familiar with your company policies. This includes dress code, social media policy, overtime policy, and anything else that is specific to your workplace. Having a written copy of these policies makes it easier for everyone to understand what is expected of them. If an employee breaks a policy, they should know the consequences ahead of time.

It’s important to communicate the company policies with your employees. Letting them know what is expected of them will help you retain great workers rather than losing them because they’ve misinterpreted your expectations. This also puts everyone on the same page and makes it easier to identify when someone is breaking a policy.

.

5. The organization needs goals.

Employees need to feel like they’re a part of something. This could be a team within the company or just a goal that they’re working towards. When employees know what the goal is and how they’re contributing, they work harder to make sure it’s achieved.

If you don’t have any goals for your organization, now is the time to create them. Your company should have goals at the beginning, middle, and end of each year. Everyone has to understand their role in making these goals come true and then work together to make that happen.

.

6. Allow for advancement within the company.

Employees want to know that they have the opportunity to advance. If they’re being held back from this opportunity it can cause issues within the workplace. Employees may try and look for a better place to work where they will be able to grow with the company or their position. It’s important for employers not only to encourage growth but also to provide the opportunity for it.

There are many different ways to allow for advancement within the company. This could be through continuing education, job shadowing someone in another department, or taking on new challenges.

Employers need to understand how the human brain works. If you want your employees and customers to perform at their best, it’s important that they feel safe, appreciated for what they do well, confident in their abilities, and productive with a sense of purpose. The 6 tips we provided here should give you some ideas about how you can create an environment where people thrive.