What makes employees stick around

Longer hours and lower pay seem to be the direction many employers are headed, but some places have managed to keep employees for the haul long. A new survey of over 2,000 employees conducted by the career marketing agency Glassdoor, found that there are a few ingredients that keep employees happy and more likely to stick around.

Money

Money led the way in keeping employees in their seats. Seventy-five percent said that a raise is all that’s needed to stay motivated and feel valued. However, getting paid in other forms may help too. Forty-six percent said unexpected treats such as social events, dinners and lunches, and thank you notes are great ways to help them feel involved in the decision-making of the company.

Feeling appreciated

Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed said their boss showed them enough appreciation, but more than half of those surveyed said that if they felt more appreciateed at work, they’d be more likely to stick around.

According to the the survey, employees would be more likely to work harder if they knew their boss acknowledged their efforts. However, some other motivating factors for working harder included fear of losing the job, or fear of their highly demanding boss.

Thanksgiving

Perhaps employees can’t escape a demanding boss. But what’s sure to get most to walk away is being forced to work on a holiday, especially Thanksgiving.

Sixty-two percent of those surveyed said they’d appreciate not being required to work on Thanksgiving, or even the day before and the day after the holiday. With retailers now opening its doors on each of those days, and staying open earlier and longer, this request may be a difficult one for some employers to adhere to.

Holiday related perks

Perhaps having the days off on and around the holidays may be a pipe dream. But hopefully employees won’t be stuck with a Scrooge. Nearly half of employees said they would appreciate a cash bonus around Thanksgiving. Forty-one percent said a gift card would do, 19 percent said a pre-Thanksgiving meal would help, while 13 percent said the option to work from home on the holiday would suit them just fine.

Socializing with co-workers

Work groups that play together, stay together, at least that’s what this survey found.

Twenty percent said they would love the opportunity to work with other colleagues and department. Thirty-two percent said breaking up the routine with some variety in their work, and 34 percent said some interesting projects would help keep them interested in their job.

After their project is complete, recognition at a team meeting or in a company newsletter would appeal to 35 percent who were surveyed.

Outside the office, 26 percent said a company-sponsored social event would help them feel motivated.