I keep seeing posts on LinkedIn that say most employees are not looking for pay increases, but recognition, or things to that effect. Here are the things I look for.
- Pay - my mortgage company will not accept anything other than money, I asked ;)
- Real pay increases - if you earn the increase and it is less than inflation you are earning less
- Promotions - if you earned the new title, do the work of someone with that title then you should get that promotion. Hearing you deserve it, but won't get it is not enough.
- Work/life balance - working 50 to 60 hours, or more week in and week out is not healthy. I am not saying you need to work a straight 40. The stuff still needs to get done.
- Trust - trust your employees to do their job. You hired them for a reason
- Recognition - everyone likes to hear "nice job" now and again, but promotions also are recognition.
- Respectful environment - no one raising their voices and yelling at others.
- Fun - I do not mean the job has to be fun, but the environment can be. I joke around at work, but I get shit done. I consider teams that are comfortable enough to joke around with each other as being close and trusting each other. Uncomfortable people rarely joke around.
I have probably 50 more things I could list, but who has time for that.