How To Create A Workplace Environment That Attracts And Retains Talent

Published on January 7, 2020 - By Cecilia Amador

• Talent attraction and retention is one of the top priorities and challenges for organizations today. 
• Creating the right workplace environment can help companies improve their talent attraction and retention efforts. 
• Creating the right workplace environment is not a one-time job; rather it’s an ongoing effort that needs to be adapted to the changing needs and demands of workers. 

The employee experience is the new and improved customer experience. As the war for talent continues to intensify, organizations need to evaluate whether their workplace environment invites people to join them and, more importantly, stay with them. 

The workplace matters. Your culture matters. Your values matter. 

Creating workplace environments and cultures that attract and retain talent is not a one-time job. It’s an ongoing effort that needs to be constantly adapted to the changing needs and demands of workers. As the people behind your company grow and evolve, so must your workplace; otherwise you risk losing top talent by failing to provide them with a place where they can thrive and exceed goals. 

So, how can organizations go about creating workplace environments that attract and retain people?

4 Ways to Create a Workplace that Attracts and Retains Talent

1. Provide people with choice

Choice in the workplace has become a priority for many organizations. The one size fits all approach to workplace design and work models is officially out. Workers today need a variety of environments to support their work, particularly if their responsibilities require different skills and strengths; brainstorming, creative thinking, analytical work, collaboration, etc. 

This is one of the reasons why activity-based workplace design is on the rise and why organizations are increasingly creating workplaces that offer a variety of environments: lounge areas, private workstations, small meeting rooms, open offices, etc. The right workplace environment can not only drive productivity, but it can also help shape corporate culture, facilitate communication, and encourage teamwork. 

By providing workers with choice in the workplace, organizations empower their talent; which can boost engagement and overall job satisfaction levels.  

2. Revisit and revise workplace policies, are they current?

The world of work is changing in many different ways, so its important that you ask yourself if your workplace policies are keeping up with the times. 

Formal business outfits have been substituted for more relaxed dress codes; the rigid 9 to 5 work schedule is no longer necessary as technology enables people to work from anywhere at anytime; and tattoos and piercings are not as scandalous as they were back in the day. 

These are only a few examples of how work has changed in the last decade. Companies need to stay current with their times. Workers today appreciate pet-friendly workplaces, many professionals are willing to take a pay cut in order to work flexibly or remotely at least part-time, and workers are joining companies that prioritize wellness and mental health. 

To attract and retain talent now and in the future, organizations need to make sure that their workplace policies respond to current worker expectations. 

3. Embrace technology

A robust technology infrastructure is no longer just a nice thing to have; it’s a must have. This stands true both for tech and non-tech companies, especially as the first generation of true digital natives (Gen Z) officially enters the workforce. Workers today expect companies to offer them access to reliable, fast, and seamless technologies that can support their work responsibilities, while at the same time improve the overall workplace experience. 

Suggested Reading: “Why Digital Transformation Can no longer Be Ignored”

The right technology infrastructure can help organizations improve their talent attraction and retention efforts, while also driving productivity and reducing overall costs. 

Pro tip: while adopting emerging technologies sounds promising, organizations first need to get the basics right, first and foremost being access to reliable and, more importantly, secure connectivity. Also, organizations need to have a strategy behind the workplace technologies they implement; why is a specific type of technology important, how will people use or work with it, is it easy to use and navigate, etc. 

4. Think about the individual and the environment

Because people don’t need to go into the office to get work done, companies need to create workplaces that contribute to a person’s wellbeing and that speaks to them on a deeper level. With this in mind, organizations need to find ways to address wellbeing within the workplace while also keeping their environmental footprint to a minimum. 

Workers today are attracted to organizations that share values with them and that have a purpose beyond being profitable. Having a clear commitment to the wellbeing of employees in and outside of the workplace is a great place to start, but so is ensuring that your workplace is, to a certain degree, sustainable. 

The good news is that many workplace elements that are good for the environment are also good for people’s wellbeing. Take for example increased access to natural light, it can reduce costs as it reduces the need for artificial lighting while improving mood and happiness levels of workers. 

Suggested Reading: “11 Tricks to Maximize Natural Light in the Workplace”

Another example could be the products you use throughout the space, for cleaning or regular maintenance. Choosing products that are free of specific toxins and chemicals can help the environment and they are less harmful for humans.