You are likely to be aware that the cost of hiring and training new staff is very high. Your business will always benefit from retaining your best employees. Often those ‘best employees’ have that label because they are intrinsically motivated to perform well. But even the ‘best’ employee will drop their performance levels, or even leave your business, if they are not satisfied with their work conditions. Here are some ways to encourage your employees to stay and to show that your staff’s well-being is important to you: 1. Implement health and wellness strategies. Organise a company team for a fun run, place bowls of fruit in the lunch room, implement regular mini breaks away from the computer screen, play music and so on. 2. Introduce volunteering opportunities. Talk to charity organisations in your local area and negotiate activities that your staff could be involved in. This might include out of work hours volunteering, as well as organised activities during work time. This has benefits for your business as a whole (by building links with the community and showing generosity) and can serve as a great team building activity. 3. Provide ‘birthday holidays’. If possible, giving employees an additional day off (or an ‘early mark’) on their birthday is a great way to show your appreciation for them. 4. Celebrate milestones. When a project is completed or your staff have achieved a milestone or perhaps even for no good reason at all, take the time to stop and celebrate. This might be as simple as finishing half an hour early on Friday afternoon for a glass of champagne and canapés, or more elaborate celebrations such as dinner at a nice restaurant.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender