Why Do Employees Stay Loyal?

One thing I learned while I was an employee is this… workers stay loyal for a reason, and it’s not just about the money. When I started freelancing, and “outsourcing” (subcontracting work), this knowledge became useful to me and my business. Usually, employees stay on because of several things…

1. The Boss’ Charisma and How He Plays Up the Authority

Sure, you can be as strict as you want. After all, you’re running a business, not a camping trip with your buddies. But being “all-business” shouldn’t stop you from greeting your employees cordially, making them feel great about working for you, and making them feel that they’d rather work for someone like you at the current rate you’re paying them than some jerk who’s willing to pay higher.

Sure, you may have personal issues like paying for your mortgage, your auto insurance or your family problems, but your employees need not see that. What they see in you as their boss and your persona outside the office are two different things. That’s why most employees would describe you differently according to the role you play (e.g. “As a boss, he’s confident and bossy. As a person, he’s rather quiet and reserved.)

2. The Grand Picture

I know most employees stay on because they feel that they’re a part of a bigger scheme, and that they form an integral part of that scheme so they have to work harder. It’s all about a purpose, and I can tell you that there’s always a noble reason for staying, even though it seems that a person is in it for pure cash. Restless employees usually don’t see beyond what’s there (the paycheck, the working hours), but the really loyal ones are in it because they feel that they have a purpose somewhat, no matter how trivially they contribute to the grand scheme of things.

3. The perks of the job

Maybe you can’t afford to pay for dance classes for your subordinates, but the occasional dinner out and weekend breaks go a long way in terms of making your staff loyal. If you’re starting out small, offer free coffee or drinks at least. If you’re a bigger company, you can offer paid lunches.