By: Cowbucker Account Team
At one point in our lives or another, we will find ourselves as employees working in an organization. As college students, most of us just hope to find some job after graduation to assure ourselves that our degree was worth the time and effort. During this frenzied job search in which students often just get caught up in having a job, it can be easy to overlook certain aspects of a companies policy or attitudes toward its own employees. However, it is extremely important to be informed and aware of what other companies are doing for their employees and what you, as a professional, should be expecting of your own employer.
Happy Employees Equal Happy Customers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that people typically hold an average of 12 jobs throughout their life. The allure of sign-on bonuses, new environments to work in and better work-life balance may all be factors that can push otherwise happy employees to change jobs. Yet, these factors can be overlooked if an employee is truly happy and feels genuinely cared for by their employers.
How Employers Can Show Appreciation to Employees
Above all else, the degree to which employees feel valued will resonate with how they feel personally about the company they work for. A few companies are taking this concept to heart, such as esteemed London based PR agency Richmond & Towers, that announced on November 4, 2019 that they would become 100% employee-owned. Instead of shareholders making all the decisions, the staff will own a majority of the company’s stock shares, giving them a stronger voice in management’s decision making. This policy works as an alternative to traditional employee compensation plans, which primarily focus on the individual achievements of employees rather than the overall success of the company. 
What This Would Mean for Employees
With 100% employee ownership, those working for Richmond & Towers will no longer work for a small number of shareholders, but rather for themselves and each other. This style of ownership has been applauded by management as well as employees, who feel a higher sense of connectivity to their job as they are literally invested in the company. It can also ease tensions between upper-level management and employees, who can now work together on a more equal field. Not only will employee satisfaction increase, but as a result, client satisfaction will follow a similar increase.
What Can You Do?
It is important to understand what a company is offering its employees before signing on as a full-time employee, and it is important to understand what other companies are offering their employees for similar work. Even as recent college graduates, we should not have to settle for less than mediocre job options when there are so many businesses willing to work toward the success of its employees. Of course, limiting your options to only companies that are 100% employee-owned may not be the best option as very view companies do this. But it is worth it to do research about the company you are interested in and make sure that they are committed to the success of their employees in one way or another.
If you were inspired by this post, check out The Holmes Report list of the best PR agencies to work for in 2019!