We all know when employees are feeling fulfilled on all levels of their lives they are going to be happier and more productive.  You can give employees opportunities to advance their careers by enabling them to upgrade their education and skills, either monetarily or through flexible or reduced work schedules, but what about their personal lives?  What are their goals, hopes, and dreams?  How about their health and the health of their family?  This is a prime opportunity to help your employees work towards the kind of lives they want, without breaking your budget.

Today’s millennium generation are much more focused on having a balanced lifestyle.  Unlike previous generations, the Millennium crowd are not willing to put in years of sacrifice “paying their dues” and waiting for their reward to come somewhere down the line in their career.  The older generation can be exasperated by their seemingly unrealistic demands and expectations but I think that they are on the right track.  Why shouldn’t we strive for a balanced life?  Why can’t we live and work now, rather than waiting for later to enjoy life?  Why shouldn’t we look for employers that have more than growing their bottom line as their goal?

So, as an employer, what can you do to fill your company with talented and committed employees and keep them?  A look at your employee’s goals, hopes, and dreams might offer you the perfect opportunity to help them achieve their wants and desires, while helping you to retain a valuable resource.  We’ll explore some possibilities in the next post and in the meantime, share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Cindy