Leave Programs for an Employer of Choice
By Sara Bauer
Most companies strive to be an employer of choice in order to attract and retain key team members. Providing recognition and support for an employee’s personal life is an important component of employee engagement and being an Employer of Choice.
There are many elements that contribute to being an “employer of choice”. The main factor will always be how you treat your staff on a day-to-day basis. If your staff members feel valued and appreciated, they will generally feel more engaged in the organization’s success.
One of the ways that companies can increase their employee engagement and stay ahead of their competitors is by getting creative and adding some perks and benefits outside of the standard vacation and leave packages offered. Providing an employee with time off for personal matters or in recognition of what is happening in their life will demonstrate your commitment to them.
While the Employment Standards Act provides for the required time off, the option to provide payment, in many cases – is up to the employer. Here are a few examples of time off that could be paid:
- Sick or Personal Time: When your employee is sick, you probably don’t want them to come to work and pass their germs to others in the office. Many organizations will provide for sick days so that staff can take the time they need to be healthy and productive. Companies may also provide it as personal time, so that employees could care for a sick child or have a day off to “re-charge”.
- Bereavement days: The Employment Standards Act requires that you provide for 3 days of unpaid leave. In times of upheaval and emotional turmoil, you could support your team member with paid time off at the time of death, or to support attendance at a funeral or celebration of life.
- Volunteer day: Support your employee’s volunteer efforts by providing a paid day off if they are working for a registered charity.
- Floating Day: An employee may choose to take a floating day on a personally significant holiday that is not recognized as a statutory holiday or he/she may take it for appointments or to get in that last minute Christmas shopping.
- Day off on their birthday: A great “just because” day that is often appreciated.
- Moving day: When the beginning of the month falls in the middle of the week, people may be faced with the dilemma of using vacation time to accommodate the move out, clean up and move in. A paid day off could be nice…
Employers of choice are normally organizations that have strong values and treat their employees with trust and fairness. Perhaps you could focus less on the hours the employee is at their desk, or even in the building, and more on the actual great work being done.
When your employees feel appreciated, trusted and recognized, they in turn feel pride and loyalty for their employer. They become advocates for your company, and when your employees feel that you are going the extra mile for them, they will go the extra mile for you.
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