Good employees are hard to find – and keep. That’s why some farms are looking for creative solutions to help retain workers.
Whether it’s by way of increased compensation, nurturing a family-friendly workplace or creating opportunities for career advancements, here are five ways to create a desirable workplace:
1. Non-monetary compensation
Benefits on top of wages can be a necessity to attract workers to more remote, rural locations like farms. Such compensation can include access to housing and transportation to the job site.
Jeff Warkentin, the chief operating officer and farm manager of Hebert Grain Ventures, lists additional incentives that the 40,000-acre grain and oilseed operation in southeast Saskatchewan provides:
- Pension benefits
- Additional benefits, such as health plans
- Bonus and profitability programs. Bonuses are paid out to employees who achieve targeted goals, while profitability bonuses are distributed in profitable years for the company.
2. Family affair
Including families can also go a long way to make employees feel appreciated. Warkentin says HGV is committed to:
- A yearly summer event, which could be a day trip to a lake or taking in a CFL game
- Christmas parties for staff and families
- A bottle of wine or flowers for employees’ spouses on their birthdays
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