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Tips and Payoffs From Employee Management Experts

According to a recent article appearing in the Chicago SunTimes, even in a lackluster economy, there are numerous inexpensive ways managers can improve their workplaces for employees.

Here are several tips and potential payoffs cited by employee management experts at Winning Workplaces:

1. Survey your employees. Get their feedback on existing programs and on what they think they need.
2. Schedule regular employee meetings to keep lines of communication open. Use these to inform employees of company progress, and encourage them to share ideas on improving business practices. Better-informed workers stay focused on business priorities, understand when times get tough and provide valuable information.
3. Consider a flexible work schedule, which costs little or nothing to establish, and takes little effort to run. Flex time can go a long way toward helping employees balance their lives and increase their productivity on the job.
4. Start a "volunteer day" to heighten teamwork among employees. Employers might encourage employees to volunteer, as a group, for a day at a local charitable organization. The event helps employees learn to work together as a team and demonstrates their company's commitment to improving the quality of life in the community.
5. Recognize employees to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions they make to your business. From a simple "thank-you" to a small gift, showing your employees their work is appreciated and that they are valued boosts morale.
6. Inaugurate employee development programs. With workplace technology changing at a fast pace, affordable computer and other business skills training are available online to help your employees keep up.
7. Most, importantly, recognize that the key elements of winning workplaces include a focus on work/life benefits; flexibility and supportiveness; employee involvement; open communications, and respect, trust and fairness.

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