"Employers can't simply rely on offering the most attractive job in town"
2023 has been a tough year for managers. As leaders look forward to a good holiday break, there are still many challenges to overcome – employee retention, workplace benefits, hybrid working and talent attraction, to name a few.
One of their biggest challenges is competition for talent, which continues to be fierce. Today, 1 in 3 employees are still considering leaving their employers – and so organisations need to be competitive on a much bigger scale. According to Flare HR’s chief revenue officer David Brudenell, having the right suite of benefits can work wonders in this area, but many employers fall over in not communicating their offering clearly enough.
“Employers can’t simply rely on offering the most attractive job in town,” Brudenell says.
“Having a competitive benefits package is a tool that can help you stand out from the rest. But another key challenge is ensuring that managers are effectively communicating and educating their teams on these benefits which are available to them.”
To prepare for these challenges, the HR sector can take two key steps. First, utilise data-driven decision-making and leverage data and analytics to understand your employees’ preferences. Second, ensure clear and regular communication with employees about their benefits and how to access them.
All of this requires managers to be well-trained and equipped to put this into practice – so starting with your leadership is a vital first step.
Getting the best out of your managers
If there’s anything to be learned from the last three years, it’s the undeniable importance of adaptability in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Employee retention has been closely linked with the ability of managers to pivot, demonstrate flexibility and understanding, and promote health and wellbeing. Brudenell says this environment has revealed just how vital managers are to employee satisfaction – and so it’s time to learn how to leverage those strengths and unleash their full potential.
“This adaptability showcased the hidden superpowers of managers who could lead their teams through uncharted territory, while also highlighting the critical role of forward-thinking workplace benefits in supporting these efforts,” Brudenell explains.
“The events of 2022 also shone a spotlight on the significance of holistic well-being, encompassing not only physical and mental health but also financial wellness. The strategic use of benefits combined with the talent that managers possess can enhance employee resilience significantly.”
In partnership with HRD Australia and Flare HR, Brudenell will be hosting ‘Hidden Superpowers in Managers’ – an upcoming webinar focused on the role managers play in shaping the success of their teams. It will explore a range of topics including how to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, how to employee productivity and resilience, and how HR leaders can approach benefits programmes for the highest impact.
The webinar will be running at 11am AEST on 22 November. To find out more and register, click here.
