Many industries, including real estate, have been affected by the Great Resignation. Americans are becoming less patient with poor working conditions, lack of professional development opportunities, and more. For this reason, it is even more vital for an employer to offer a healthy work environment that can bring employees satisfaction and success in life.
The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Employee Experience
The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the perception of the work environment. When millions of American workers were forced to transition to working remotely, they then began to question the necessity of in-office work. They began to expect more from the office environment. Now that offices are moving back to in-person work. This is a great time to revamp your office culture.
The first consideration you should have is the safety of your employees. The COVID-19 pandemic is currently seeing an encouraging decline in daily cases, but the pandemic is still not over. Caution is still necessary. Employers must provide their workers with a safe working environment. To achieve this, make sure to stay up-to-date with current CDC recommendations. When your employees see that you value their health, they will feel valued and part of a caring team!
Acknowledge Barriers to Employment
Employees also must provide every applicant and current employee with an equal opportunity. According to federal public policy, it is illegal to discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, citizenship status, and genetic information.
Many forms of discrimination are more subtle and challenging to identify. For example, based on a massive study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research, applicants with “Black-sounding” names were substantially less likely to be contacted about their application. This is only one example of how subconscious bias can negatively impact people of color in the workplace. To address potential areas for improvement, review hiring practices and workplace policies.
Provide Workforce Development
Workers want to improve and advance. When an employer does not offer development opportunities, employees feel “stuck,” as evidence has shown a strong motivator for the Great Resignation. Realtors get into the industry because they are passionate about the real estate market and helping people buy/sell homes. By providing your employees with opportunities like attending conferences and attaining certifications, you play a critical role in increasing their potential and enthusiasm.
Make Continued Education Accessible
The primary method of healthy development for realtors is to provide ways for them to increase their education. Although further education can be expensive upfront, realtors with education better understand the complexities of the real estate market and can make more informed decisions, which ultimately pay dividends down the line. Continued education has always proven to be a worthwhile investment for employers.
Provide Training
A great way to diversify your employee’s skills is to make various training courses available. As with pursuing education, enrolling in training courses allows realtors to increase their knowledge base and skills. Also, it provides variety, which makes every workplace feel fresh and exciting! A benefit of training opportunities is that some courses can be held within the workplace. This reduces travel costs and brings some spice to the office!
Be a Role Model
Perhaps, the best way to cultivate the culture you want in the workplace is to be a role model for your employees. If the other realtors see you taking opportunities for further education and training, it shows them that your brokerage values self-betterment. Additionally, when you create and enforce equitable policies in your workplace, your employees can feel comfortable and empowered enough to reach their potential. Modeling the behavior you desire to see is the surest way to have that behavior enacted.
