In the multifamily industry, resident retention is on everyone’s mind. What about employee retention, though? It’s equally as important to gauge how your staff feels about the company and managers that they are working for every day. After all, your employees are representing your brand, and it’s important that they have a positive outlook toward the company. In return, their sentiment will make a great impression on residents and prospects within the community.
 

There are a variety of ways to build employee morale and show them how much you value their hard work. It doesn’t require an endless supply of money to show appreciation – in fact, there are many thoughtful ways to reward your employees without breaking the bank on material objects. Here are a few ideas that you might consider:
 

1. Flexibility. Life doesn’t always go as planned, and sometimes there are children to care for, family activities, or even life-changing events such as weddings or the birth of a new child. By offering your hard-working employees a bit of flexibility, they will see that you value their life outside of the office, too.
 

2. A free meal or cup of joe. It’s true that food is the way to the heart – a meal is a hospitable way to show how much you appreciate the efforts of your leasing staff. Breakfast foods tend to be more cost-effective, or consider hosting a potluck – supply the main dish and ask each of your staff to contribute one side dish or dessert. A cup of coffee can also represent a simple token of thanks for staff members who have been going above and beyond to accommodate the needs of your community.
 

3. Recognize their achievements. If an employee has accomplished a big goal or contributed to recent success, share the news! Not only will they be thrilled that you noticed, but they’ll appreciate the words of congratulations from fellow employees and senior management. Write a thoughtful note explaining the reasons why you value the employee and tout his or her accomplishments.
 

4. Employee Appreciation Day. You’ve heard of Boss’s Day – now it’s time to turn the tables and have a day dedicated to your employees! Provide lunch, give awards and recognition, and perhaps even provide a small token of appreciation such as a branded beverage tumbler, a nice polo embroidered with your community logo, or stationery personalized with his or her name. Include the residents in your community to make it an even more memorable event.
 

5. Educational Events. Offer your employees an opportunity to attend professional events in your area, and pay for their registration. This provides your staff with more expertise to do their job even better, which will benefit the company as a whole.
 

As you see, it’s easy to show your appreciation and recognition for your employees in many ways, most of which do not require a large monetary investment. Take a bit of time out of your day to brainstorm ideas that would be a good fit for your business and employees. Some ideas require planning time, but others are simple and can be done on a whim. Remember – always keep a pulse on things around your office to ensure that everyone is happy and everything is running smoothly. Your employees value their jobs, so it’s important for you to show how much you value your employees for all of their hard work and dedication to the community!
 

How do you show appreciation to your employees?