Retention requires respect

William Willems

It’s especially important for managers to keep job satisfaction up over the Summer months, so that good people don’t leave. But what do people really value in their work environment? What really makes the difference and keeps people on board? The findings from a new global Regus survey gives managers some top tips about holding on to your good people.

Thai and Vietnamese workers declare that showing respect towards all members of staff is the most important ingredient to creating a happy business culture.

In the latest survey by workplace provider Regus over 17,000 respondents from more than 80 countries were asked what factors were most likely to help create a happy work atmosphere and 65 per cent of Thai and Vietnamese workers said that respect for colleagues is the key ingredient.

Encouraging knowledge and skills sharing among staff (60 per cent) and always being on time for meetings (35 per cent) were voted second and third most important factors. Helping out struggling colleagues was also nominated by 29 per cent of respondents.

Regus spokesperson commented that: “From June through to August, workers typically take advantage of the summer vacation to weigh up what lies ahead of them in September and their work situation. The results of this survey should serve as a wake-up call to managers who may be overlooking simple, practical and cost-free measures they can take to make sure that staff don’t come back from their holidays with their resignation in hand.

“As work pressures and hours expand further into people’s personal lives, Thai and Vietnamese workers are ever more aware of the importance that the character of the people they work and spend so many hours of their day with has on job satisfaction. Aside from salary increases and material bonuses, simple steps like showing respect for all staff, making a point of congratulating staff on good work and helping colleagues develop by encouraging skills and knowledge sharing contribute to creating a more human and wholesome environment that staff are not easily tempted to abandon.”

Regus is the world's largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it's from home, on the road or from an office.