Getting excellent employees to work for your organization instead of your competitors has never been easy. Add in the disruption of economic changes, evolving employee needs or a tight labor market, and the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent demands new, refocused energy.

What can you do to stand out during unpredictable times and show that you’re an employer of choice – and will continue to be one, come what may?

What’s an employer of choice?

When you’re an employer of choice, you’re an organization that people have a strong desire to work for.

You’re thought of as offering the total package and are sought-after by employees in the marketplace. Maybe you’re even a “best place to work” according to the media or an industry group.

One of the keys to building your reputation as an employer of choice is consistently keeping the needs of your employees at the forefront, even (and especially) during challenging seasons in your business.

What being an employer of choice looks like

Let’s look at six different ways you can weave this empathetic mindset throughout the various stages of your employees’ journey with your organization – from their first interaction with your brand to their last day of service.

1. Community involvement

Giving back to the communities where you do business and giving your employees opportunities to do the same shows them you care – not just about them, but about where they live, too.

Some companies solidify this value by:

• Providing employees with paid time off (PTO) to volunteer
• Matching employees’ eligible charitable donations
• Creating a fund for employees facing crisis or hardship

When you help your employees engage in community service, they share a positive first impression of your brand with the general public and gain the sense that you recognize them for more than just what they contribute to your company.

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