Recruit, Train and Support: Save Money by Spending More on Improving The Workplace4 min read

When it comes to running a company, cutting costs and saving money are always going to be a priority. However, it’s difficult to know when to pay more in the hopes of improving productivity, and what expenses really can be done without. What we sometimes don’t realize is that most companies lose an enormous amount of money on recruiting, sick leave and unproductive work in the office. In other words, the worker is at the heart of the money saving problem. So, what can you, as a recruiter, do to reduce these costs?

The right employee is worth waiting for

If you have a job to fill in your company, you want to find the right person for the job as quickly as possible. However, don’t act in haste and repent at leisure. Finding your future employee is a process that should not be rushed. On average, companies lose thousands of dollars replacing a worker who, ultimately, wasn’t fit for the job. Call you candidates for a phone interview and see them for a meeting face to face. If you still aren’t sure about who you want to hire, call up the remaining candidates for a second, third or even fourth interview before making a decision. If they are right for the job, they won’t mind waiting a little longer to get into your good books.

Training is the key

You’ve chosen your candidate, but the recruitment process doesn’t stop there! Training is an essential part of making sure your new employee can live up to your expectations. Even if your new employee assures you they have worked on similar projects before, or if their CV indicates that they know their way around all the necessary software, it doesn’t hurt to check for yourself. Make sure the company’s objectives are clear and that your employee knows what is expected of them. One way to do this is to have a series of some trail exercises ready to get your newbie into the swing of things without the risk of too much responsibility too soon. Also, the more experienced employees should be encouraged to lend a helping hand when needed.

Healthy employees mean a healthier business

In order to improve the working conditions for your employees, you need to first of all encourage them to look after themselves. More and more, companies are being told to make their workplace more “sustainable”, by recycling, by using reusable cups for our coffee, by creating designated smoking areas and by printing as little as possible. However, what we forget to mention is just how the employees’ wellbeing can affect a company’s bottom-line. Poor lighting, uncomfortable chairs and suffocating office buildings lead to all kinds of health issues and extended sick days and/or unproductive work. It is important to remember that your employees spend long hours at work. If their eye-sight is compromised, medical expenses and slow work are likely to ensue. Stiff chairs and bad posture can cause all kinds of back problems. When investing in office space, think, “would I want to work here?” If possible, always opt for natural light rather than artificial light; open spaces with a laidback ambiance rather than an unwelcoming closed-off environment; fresh air rather than air conditioning that can lead to the outbreak of various colds and flus. Lastly, encourage your employees to maintain a healthy living in and around the office. For more information on looking out for your employees and their wellbeing, you might like to check out one of our previous articles: Reducing burnout and improving employee experience.

There’s no I in team

It’s important for your employees to remember that they are all working towards the same goal: more productive company. If possible, you don’t want them coming to work reluctantly and waiting for the day to end. It’s okay to check one’s phone from time to time or to chitchat with colleagues while taking a break from the workload, but at the end of the day, everyone is there to work. Company parties and organized group activities are a great way to encourage solidarity among your workers so that they can enjoy coming to work every day. Furthermore, they can be used as a reward for meeting the company objectives which emphasizes the importance of productivity: the harder we work, the more time we’ll have to play!

We hope our article will inspire companies to give careful thought to their workplace environment and the employees who will spend most of their time there.

Keep up to date with our new articles and receive them directly in your mailbox by subscribing to our newsletter. If there is a particular topic that you would like to see featured on our blog please let us know!

Author: Ali Neill

As the job board tester and blog editor for the Jobboard Finder, Ali works on job boards from all around the world and keeps a close eye on the recruitment trends thanks to a number of sources, including the website’s social media pages.

Twitter Linkedin