3 Essential Ways Of Showing Your Employees You Care

Julie Starr • March 2, 2021



It’s become increasingly clear in recent years that for many Americans – and for people across the world – the question of work-life balance has tilted a long way towards the former. Long hours, long commutes, and short weekends, along with the intrusion of technology into more corners of our lives, mean that even the most benign of jobs can become stressful when you’re “on call”, and it can affect well-being and eventually work performance.

As an employer , it is tricky to get the balance right. You yourself have duties that you need to discharge, and it is essential that you can rely on those who you manage to discharge theirs. For many people, the only reasonable approach would be to “crack the whip” a little and become a disciplinarian – but this has a tendency to achieve the opposite result from that which you’d appreciate. Below, we look at a few ways you can do the opposite – gaining the commitment of your employees while showing you care about their well-being.

Be open to different ideas about working patterns

If you had no prior knowledge on the matter, and someone suggested to you that changing a five-day working week down to four days would be a good idea, you might reasonably smirk. Losing a whole day of productivity would surely be ruinous? Well, studies suggest that in some cases it can actually boost productivity to change to a four-day week. A more rested, less drained workforce with a more focused working plan can get more done, if it’s what they want. Be prepared to listen to and, if possible, accommodate different rota plans; they can work wonders for employee motivation.

In addition, you can also be more open-minded about daily operations by encouraging the use of technology. For example, utilizing workforce automation software will not only free up more time for your employees but also eliminate many unnecessary mistakes, ensuring everyone can get along with their work and be as productive as possible. This software is only the tip of the iceberg regarding how you can make life easier for your employees with technology, and it will greatly benefit your business as well!

Go for the carrot more than the stick

There is a widespread impression that the best rulers have all ruled by fear and that if you want results, you’d do well to model yourself on them. Other minds argue that while this approach may work when you’re trying to build a military empire that stretches from Greece to Asia , it is less clear how well-suited it is to managing a team of sales professionals. If you incentivize your employees with free food and gifted holidays from the likes of MTI Events , they’ll be inclined to work harder and be grateful. That’s much better than them being terrified of making a mistake. Also, consider incentivizing with sustainable work opportunities like a “ green team.” 

Don’t try to be their friend; be their coach

While the first two ideas here have been about being generous and kind to employees, the final point is important from a point of view of hierarchy. As a boss, your job is not to be the friend of your employees. Let’s be clear, this doesn’t mean you can’t be friend ly . You can talk about sports with them, or be a listening ear if they have problems at home. But you are paid to improve their work outcomes, not their life. If you do your part, you’ll make their life better in an important area anyway. Be a coach to them, find their motivations, and work on those. Friendship may arise as a side benefit of this, but it isn’t the priority.

If you care about your employees, the best way of showing this is by making it easier for them to do their jobs well. Interpersonal relationships can grow in time, but being a caring boss is more important than being a fun friend.

By Julie Starr April 22, 2025
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By Julie Starr April 20, 2025
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Green Energy Consulting Services Are you wondering how to lower energy consumption without impacting business performance? Green energy consultants specialize in reducing carbon footprints through practical, scalable solutions. These experts analyze your energy usage and identify opportunities like switching to renewables, upgrading to energy-saving systems, or adopting smart technologies. Outsourcing initiatives such as solar panel installation or wind-powered electricity procurement signals your organization’s long-term commitment to environmental leadership. And as with many sustainability investments, the result is not just impact—it’s also efficiency and cost savings. Framed in the right way, these actions can become powerful stories that demonstrate your company's values to customers and stakeholders. Sustainable Supply Chain Management A sustainable supply chain is essential for companies aiming to lead in today’s circular economy. Third-party logistics providers and supply chain consultants can help in auditing your supply chain to uncover inefficiencies, and recommend improvements aligned with eco-conscious goals. By outsourcing this function, you gain access to experts who help embed sustainability into procurement practices—using local materials, reducing waste, and improving freight efficiency. Many providers can also connect you with suppliers that share your environmental standards, enabling a cohesive approach to sustainable sourcing. These supply chain enhancements not only reduce emissions and waste—they also reinforce your brand’s environmental credibility across the stakeholder ecosystem. Eco-Friendly IT and Cloud Computing Running a tech-intensive business? Traditional on-site data centers are energy-intensive. Outsourcing IT infrastructure to green cloud providers can dramatically lower your environmental impact. Cloud vendors who use renewable energy for data storage and server operations offer an efficient alternative to on-premise solutions. They also reduce hardware waste and improve system performance—making them both eco-friendly and future-ready. For organizations prioritizing digital sustainability, this move can be a cornerstone of your environmental strategy—and a strong signal of innovation to your stakeholders. Sustainable Junk Removal Services Sustainable operations include responsible waste management. Outsourcing junk removal to companies that prioritize recycling and charitable donations keeps unnecessary items out of landfills and extends the life cycle of materials. These services allow businesses and individuals to declutter responsibly, supporting both environmental and community well-being. It’s a simple but visible action that can reinforce your sustainability message both internally and externally. Carbon Offsetting Services Not all emissions can be eliminated—but many can be offset. Specialized outsourcing firms help companies calculate, track, and neutralize their carbon emissions through strategic reforestation projects , renewable energy, or community resilience projects. These providers simplify the path to carbon neutrality, enabling your business to meet emissions targets without overwhelming internal resources. When shared transparently, these efforts can build credibility and show stakeholders your commitment to real climate action. Green Building and Facility Services For organizations with a physical footprint, outsourcing to green building service providers supports both environmental and business performance. Whether you're retrofitting with energy-efficient systems, reimagining interior layouts for LEED certification, or upgrading lighting and HVAC, retrofitting to eco-friendly office design supports long-term thinking. Outsourcing this expertise ensures you’re not only meeting today’s expectations—but also building for tomorrow’s workforce and market needs. Outsourced R&D for Sustainable Products Developing greener products doesn’t need to be done in-house. By outsourcing R&D to sustainability-focused experts, your company can bring innovative ideas—like biodegradable packaging or low-impact materials—to market faster. These partnerships inject creativity and specialized knowledge into your product development pipeline, helping you stay ahead of regulatory shifts and consumer demand. More importantly, they support a brand narrative rooted in innovation and responsibility. Conclusion: Aligning Profit with Purpose Sustainability isn’t just about compliance—it’s about competitiveness, resilience, and leadership. Outsourcing to sustainability-minded providers allows your business to focus on core strengths while accelerating progress toward environmental and ESG goals. From energy and IT to supply chain and product development, these partnerships offer a smart path forward—one that balances operational efficiency with lasting impact.  At its best, sustainable outsourcing isn’t a sideline strategy. It’s a meaningful part of how forward-thinking companies align profit with purpose—and demonstrate what’s possible when businesses lead with values.