Any HR team faced with hiring talented employees on minimum wages knows that it’s not really an easy task. You’re asking someone to invest their personal time on a long term basis for a reward that doesn’t really amount to anything significant. Most low wage jobs attract talent for a short duration of time, something that gives workers a brief respite from their financial problems until a better opportunity comes along. Unless they know your company offers lucrative benefits – and potentially higher wages in the long run, they will simply leave.
What motivation can you provide to these employees to continue working for you? It is important that you offset some of the negative connotations attached to the term ‘low wage job’. Here are some ways you can do so:
1) Providing competitive health care insurance
Health is a very important personal matter to us. While a full suite of health benefits can be extremely difficult for you to provide, it is a powerful means of providing motivation to your employee to continue working for your firm. If providing a comprehensive health insurance takes too much of a toll on your finances, try at least covering the basics such as dental insurance, preventive visits to the doctor and emergency health services.
2) Increased PTO
It’s always a good plan to give out paid time off to your workers. This serves to provide motivation on all wage levels – high or low – giving them a breather which they can look forward to every year.
3) Brief them about the job responsibilities
Most people working on minimum wage are usually juggling two to three jobs at the same time. Placing too many responsibilities on them can quickly wave their resolve to work for your company and they might just end up quitting. It is good practice to ask them if they have any other jobs or responsibilities that could wear them out. You should then properly explain to them their working hours, the full extent of their job responsibilities so they can weigh this into their schedules and neither of you would have anything to complain about in the future.
4) Advancement opportunities
Unhappy employees can be encouraged if you show them possible pathways for their career’s advancement. Explain that persevering through the initial low wage stage of their job will entitle them to a promotion with a higher salary and increased perks. This is good for your business too since you’re converting untrained, unskilled workers to professionals who have been tried and tested in real world situations i.e. their previous job ranking with your company.
5) Flexible work arrangement
Most low paid employees tend to be students and mothers caring for younger children. Try to provide proper scheduling times so workers can manage their responsibilities without them conflicting with their personal lives. Students can complete their degrees, mothers can take care of their babies – and you get loyal, more qualified staff.
6) Empathize with them
Showing empathy and compassion to your employee while also exercising a bit of humbleness can actually encourage them to continue working for you. Let them know that you will, when the time comes, increase their wages that will suit their (then) increased repertoire of skills.
