It is not uncommon for employers to consider salaries and health benefits as the key factors of what keeps employees satisfied at jobs. However, many employees yearn to continue their growth and development in their professional lives. It can be argued that there is so much more to what triggers the sensations of satisfaction at work than money.
One key factor of employees vacating their positions and seeking employment elsewhere is the feeling of stagnation when the feeling of being invigorated and stimulated is lost. Businesses have unique opportunities to offer their employees the ability to offer the chance to learn, allowing for growth and an investment of their time and energy into something that can offer further fulfillment.
There are many options for how companies can offer the benefit of learning and education to their employees, but consider which of these you can support to retain excellent talent and not to lose them over a feeling of stagnation.
Skill Development Through Cross-Training
Companies can make efforts to retain good talent who find themselves bored and lacking stimulation by offering cross-training at work. This inexpensive training opportunity allows employees to learn new skills and expand upon their development, while the company can grow and invest in the valuable talent that they have.
This can provide an opportunity to showcase the amazing talent and provide incentives for employees to work to achieve this honor and educational opportunity. Creating a culture of growth and development can be beneficial for both employee and employer.
Learning Stipends
Organizations that have the financial means to offer funds to employees can offer a cash benefit to employees for their professional development. These learning stipends have become increasingly popular, as employees are looking to expand upon their expertise and explore areas to enrich their careers.
By offering a monetary benefit to support this, it sends a direct signal to employees that this is something their company is willing to prioritize and put its wallet behind. While not an option for every company, as this can be cost-prohibitive, it also goes beyond the cash amount. Supervisors must also remain supportive of these efforts so that their employees feel they can achieve further education and enrichment.
Accredited Online Educational Programs
Digital engagement is another opportunity for many companies to invest in. Online degree programs from accredited institutions of higher education can offer the flexibility that working professionals need to complete the program with the rigor and enrichment of a traditional in-person program.
Companies that can financially support efforts to build upon and develop a professional’s expertise, offer unique experiences to the employee, signaling a commitment to the individual and not just the productivity and end product. Even if a company cannot provide financial assistance, providing flexibility when necessary to complete a rigorous online program like USC online MBA can yield countless benefits. The employee can bring their knowledge back to the company to improve current practices with an energized and educated approach.
Continuing Education
There are countless different options for continuing education programs that can support the enrichment and professional development of employees. Considering which program best suits the needs, restrictions and financial circumstances of both employee and employer are essential considerations, but investing in employees beyond salaries can prove a positive future. The most important piece is providing an opportunity for employees to grow and develop to avoid the loss of talented folks.
A huge pitfall of employers is allowing those driven team members to fall into stagnation, where they lose their sense of energy or decide that they need to leave to achieve that feeling elsewhere. Regardless of how you provoke mental stimulation for your employees, companies must make the investment. While there are a variety of ways to achieve this, whether your organization invests in a full-fledged program, offering time, providing funds or any other strategy, make sure that you do not lose your best talent to feelings of indifference and boredom.