I passed a billboard the other day which said, "The best employee benefit is a happy employee."  I can't remember what company adopted this slogan but I can tell you that I know this to be unequivocally true.  Our next few blog posts will cover what we have found to be the top five keys to employee happiness. 

One:  Trust

I and the people in our office spend all day, every day, talking with employees, former employees or people who wish they were someone's employee and we hear plenty about what employees want, what infuriates them and what makes them happy.

Surprisingly,  money is rarely even at the top of the list.  What we find employees want, more than anything, whether they are waitresses or executives, is to be treated like trusted competent individuals.  Contrary to many employer's beliefs, employees are not all idiots, are not out to cheat them or to find ways to somehow undermine their profits.  They don't need to be watched liked children and monitored like prisoners.  Just tell them what you want them to do, tell them that you believe they can do it and then let them do it.  There are few things more demeaning than being micromanaged.  If they fail, kindly correct them.  If they continue to fail then take action.  I believe most employers would be shocked to learn that if an employee feels as if their employer has confidence in them the employee will almost always rise to the occasion.  Everyone wants to feel valued.

Next up:  Two:  Flexibility