Here are tips from David King, Canadian president of headhunting firm Robert Half International, to help employees feel valued:
Career advancement opportunities
People want to see a future in their job. Keep discussions going about goals, action plans and opportunities. Review regularly. Try to promote from within.
Education and training
Help workers learn new skills. Opportunities can range from covering course tuition to bringing an industry leader into the office to conduct specific training.
Keep close with supervisor
Maintaining a close relationship with a supervisor is key. Make sure lines of communication between a boss and employees are open, and that staff and managers share the same vision.
Fairly compensate
Money doesn't matter as much as feeling valued, but if someone feels underpaid they may go somewhere else. Paying industry rates may be good enough. Bonuses and other forms of compensation, say, a cellphone plan, could make up a salary shortfall.
Better work/life balance
While the work/life balance issue lost some of its importance during the recession as workers just cared about staying employed, now that a recovery is under way, employees want more freedom again to work from home, take vacations or leave the office at a decent time.