One Commonly Overlooked Element in Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

The search for great people is shared by every organization. Literally. A quick google search of “attracting and retaining top talent” pulls over 2.1 million results. Millions of people are asking, and millions are answering, about how to draw in the world’s leading employees, innovators, and changemakers. And the top Google results provide some great answers to that question: be a successful organization and people will want to join you; recruit for quality, not quantity of applicants; use humor in your recruitment efforts; and so on. But one factor remains underutilized and unacknowledged in recruitment efforts: the work environment.

Every organization is putting its efforts toward attracting and retaining employees, so top talent has the option to choose where and how they’d like to work. And more often, people are electing the most supportive and inspiring work environments. According to a global study by Ipsos and Steelcase, there is a positive correlation between employees’ workplace satisfaction and their level of engagement: the more satisfied with their workplace, the more employees are engaged with their work. This landmark study shows, among other things, that the work environment can’t be overlooked when organizations think about attracting and retaining top talent.

The work environment speaks to an organization’s brand, culture, and values, all of which are of great significance to prospective employees. Closed off cubicles? Private offices for leadership? Access to natural light? All of these elements set the tone for workplace culture. And they can either encourage or inhibit the behaviors that drive engagement.  This is not only relevant to prospective employees, but is of vital importance to current employees as well. Do current employees feel encouraged to socialize and share ideas? Do they feel a sense of belonging to the organization? The right workplace design can make a difference in how employees answer these questions. Because the work environment is a direct reflection of an organization’s willingness to invest back into employees — or not.

Lastly, the work environment shows employees whether there is room for them in the organization. If a recruiter is courting an exceptional candidate who happens to be an introvert, that candidate might be put off by seeing an entirely open office without private zones. Likewise, a social butterfly might wonder if she can do her best in a high-paneled cubicle farm. Providing an ecosystem of spaces to support a range of workstyles ensures that all workers can feel welcome.

So while great benefits, opportunities, and organizational success are essential to attracting and retaining employees, the work environment shouldn’t be overlooked. Because top talent is looking — and they’re going where they can work best.

At Custer, we understand that the work environment plays a significant part in attracting and retaining great people. That’s why we create beautiful and supportive workspaces that meet our clients’ needs, empower their brand, and reflect their culture. Ready to see how your work environment can help attract and retain top talent? Schedule a complimentary design consultation here.