8 Employee Concerns When Starting a Job That Managers Need to Know

Employees don’t leave jobs; they leave companies that don’t address their concerns. So, how can managers understand the wants and needs of their employees? In the article below, 1Office will help you learn about the 8 concerns of employees when accepting a job, helping you attract and retain them.

1. Income

According to a 2019 survey conducted by two HR companies, Talentnet and Mercer, the rate of employees leaving their jobs due to inadequate rewards reached 47%. This figure shows that income is the biggest concern for employees when accepting a job.

This is a major challenge for SMEs with limited HR budgets. To address this issue, in addition to a fixed salary, managers should have a public, fair, and transparent reward and penalty system.

A worthy bonus will motivate employees to strive. A fair penalty serves as an example for other employees. You shouldn’t stifle employees’ motivation to strive for petty savings.

Read more: Ineffective Employees: What Can Managers Do to Improve Performance?

2. Being Involved

In the Industry 4.0 era, as people increasingly need to reach further and assert themselves, employees are no longer just tools for managers to assign tasks to. They have their own aspirations, a desire to participate in building their work, and a need to demonstrate their abilities to their superiors.

To boost work enthusiasm, improve work efficiency, and reinforce employees’ sense of pride in working for the company, managers should create opportunities for employees to contribute their opinions at work.

Among the countless ideas and opinions from employees, you can find new directions and ways of thinking to develop the business and discover talent.

3. Interesting Work

In the present and for the next few decades, the majority of employees in businesses will be Gen Z (those born after 1996). This generation is known for its love of experiences and exploration. They don’t stick with a job simply for money or material possessions like previous generations; they also want to find joy in their work.

To make employees’ work more interesting, managers can skillfully incorporate challenges. This gives employees the opportunity to push their limits and grow.

Most Gen Z employees desire nothing more than to learn. Tapping into this need will make their work more interesting and strengthen their loyalty and dedication to the company.

Read more: Top 25+ Best and Most Effective Work Management Software in 2023

4. Advancement

“Today’s employers are underestimating the importance to employees of time flexibility or advancement opportunities as key factors in their decision to join or leave a company.”

From “The Human Capital Edge” by Bruce Pfau and Ira Kay

Advancement is a goal that many people set when they decide to commit to a company. A clear career path motivates employees to strive harder in their work, attracting and retaining talent—who are often ambitious employees ready to leave if they don’t see opportunities for growth.

5. Recognition

Every employee wants their personal achievements to be acknowledged and to receive rewards commensurate with those achievements. Recognizing an employee’s efforts goes beyond simply rewarding their results. It also shows the leader’s care for their subordinates, acknowledging their contributions to the business, whether public or behind the scenes. 

Many employees today may lack certain skills and knowledge but possess the ability to work tirelessly and have a progressive work attitude. They are willing to work overtime, accept lower-than-market salaries, and dedicate themselves to achieving the best results. Even if their results don’t meet the set goals, alongside criticism, you should take action to show appreciation for their efforts and boost employee morale.

See more: Secrets to More Effective Work Management

6. Forgiveness

Amidst fierce competition among businesses, imposing sales targets and setting high goals is a common practice, especially in SMEs. Pressure is unavoidable and can keep employees in a constant state of stress, preventing them from reaching their full potential and thus leading to mistakes.

As a leader, you should consider forgiving your employees. This doesn’t mean forgoing reprimands, but rather giving employees the opportunity to correct and learn from their mistakes. Knowing how to forgive is a psychological art. It not only enhances the leader’s image in the eyes of subordinates and strengthens loyalty but also compels employees to strive harder to make amends and live up to their boss’s expectations.

7. Stability

While some employees enjoy changing jobs, stability is a basic need for the vast majority. This group mainly includes people from rural areas determined to stay in the city, those who are not overly ambitious, are averse to change, and those who have or wish to start a family.

Furthermore, stability indicates a company’s potential for growth and serves as a guarantee for employees to trust and dedicate their careers when they want to settle down.

8. Working Conditions

Working conditions that provide all necessary equipment, allowances, insurance policies, salaries, and bonuses… are a dream and also a factor for employees to decide to commit to a business.

Excellent working conditions can attract talent to the company, while also promoting a positive image of the business through communication activities and testimonials from current and former employees.

9. Secrets for Managers to Retain Talented Employees

Understanding and retaining employees is one of the main concerns for managers. Understanding the challenges businesses face in the digital age, 1Office offers a comprehensive business management solution, making it much easier to track and understand employees’ desires.

1Office helps managers easily assess employee competency through the ASK framework: Attitude, Skills, and Knowledge, and to grasp the competency development process and track personnel progress through evaluation periods.

Additionally, 1Office can connect to time clocks at all branches to synchronize data from all time clocks in real-time. The software will digitize all administrative forms for the month, automatically update the timesheet to generate a payroll according to the configured settings, making salary calculation for employees transparent and easy.

If you are facing difficulties with managing, evaluating, and understanding personnel, sign up for a trial to receive a consultation. 1Office will help you resolve your challenges quickly!

See more: 
Work Management Mistakes – 5 Things CEOs Need to Avoid Immediately
Boosting Employee Morale – An Essential Skill for Administrators
Chronic Illnesses in Business: 14 Ailments and Their ‘Cures’