If you want top talent to actually want to work for you, it’s not just about shouting about your big wins or dangling a decent salary. That stuff matters, sure. But it’s not the whole picture. What really seals the deal is the space you’re inviting them into- the place they’ll spend most of their week, every week. Because if your workplace feels like an afterthought, that’s exactly how new hires will feel too. And here’s the thing: happy employees aren’t just a nice bonus, they’re essential. If you want a team that sticks around, works well, and actually cares, then you need to get this part right. Below are three things that genuinely make a difference,  keep them in mind if you’re trying to build a team that doesn’t just show up, but thrives.

You have an office with plenty of space for your team, but not all members will be happy with having to come in to use it five times a week. In the modern world, a hybrid working setup is much more conducive to getting the best out of your employees, especially if they can choose what days they’re in and what days they’re at home. If you can offer that, on top of having a proper, well kitted workspace for them, you’ll be able to offer dynamic and flexible working expectations that are quite hard to find anywhere else. 

Every single employee currently in the modern workforce deserves to feel safe at work. They deserve to know that if something goes wrong, if an accident or some kind of disaster occurs, they will be taken care of and guided to safety.  Make sure this is reflected in your own office. To start with, make sure you’ve conducted an on-site risk assessment that highlights any possible areas of danger. If there are any genuine hazards in your office, this is where you’ll find out.  Then, make sure you’ve had fire alarms installed and tested, that there’s fire safety equipment that can be easily accessed and used, and that you have a proper fire drill procedure to go through. You’ll want to test this procedure from time to time too, to ensure all employees know what to do. 

If employees have to come into work and fit the same mold as everyone else, people are going to be very unhappy. Having to wear a uniform is one thing, but being unable to express yourself in any way at all will not go down well with an adult workforce, all of whom are trained to a high degree, and have more than enough self discipline to stay on task.  Let your employees personalise their at work presentation and their own working space. In fact, encourage it as well! If a new hire walks in for their first day, let them know the space they’ve been assigned is theirs to set up and decorate in the way that best works for them.