Attracting and retaining skilled labour in the industrial and mining sectors can be challenging in a tight labour market, making it difficult for smaller firms to compete on salary alone.
Understanding your culture is the key to creating a dynamic team for long-term success. Culture is what people say and think about your company when you’re not in the room. It sets you apart from other businesses in the eyes of employees and customers.
Company culture significantly influences employee behaviour and retention because building connections with team members and having trusted relationships with co-workers supports a culture of trust, belonging, and inclusion.
But culture is fragile. It could quickly erode if you fail to keep your finger on the pulse of your company’s culture.
Smart employers know that “good enough” is not enough today. Your actions, not just words, set a powerful example for your business, and your workplace culture and reputation as an employer are your most significant competitive advantages for recruiting, rewarding, and retaining employees.
Show you care with comprehensive benefits
Comprehensive workplace benefits show employees you care about their well-being. The benefits need to go beyond basic healthcare and retirement plans and address the diverse needs of employees. Proper education on the full package and exactly what it entails is also important, as according to the 2023 Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey, employees who fully understand their benefits plans are more likely to view them positively.
One way to stand out is by offering flexible benefits plans, which are now provided by nearly 39% of plan sponsors. These plans empower employees to choose options that best fit their lifestyles, making your offerings more unique and appealing. Financial wellness programs are another valuable component, helping to address the widespread issues of financial stress and improving overall productivity and engagement by providing access to crucial financial advice and resources.
Additionally, preventative assistance platforms (pre-APs) support mental and physical well-being. By offering training in resilience, behavioural health, and psychological safety, these platforms create a healthier, more productive workforce.
But even if you offer the most competitive package in your industry, the employer’s culture and reputation will guide employees’ decisions to join, stay, or leave. In other words, benefits and pensions are the minimum.
Cultivate a sense of belonging and trust
Prioritizing regular feedback, open communication, and recognition creates a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. When employees receive regular, constructive feedback, they feel valued and can grow their skills. Additionally, training managers in inclusive leadership enhances employee retention by cultivating a sense of belonging and trust.
To further foster a positive atmosphere, cultural initiatives and team-building events like appreciation days, potlucks, barbecues, and fundraising for causes employees care about can strengthen personal connections and demonstrate care for employees.
Attracting talent requires a holistic approach beyond offering competitive salaries in the industrial and mining sectors. Companies can create a compelling and valuable proposition that attracts potential employees by creating a strong company culture and the non-monetary rewards that come along with it. These strategies bolster recruitment efforts and improve retention, engagement, and overall workplace satisfaction.
The bottom line is that employees want to know their employer cares. In most situations, employees who feel appreciated and are making a difference will overrule the money.
In other words, when competing with large employers, you may be unable to outspend them in terms of compensation and benefits, but you can out-love them!
First published in the Potash Producer 2024, issue 3.
