Emotional salary is a current topic in many countries, but one that has remained unexplored in some places for a long time. This is because, until recently, it was considered that the main motivation for staying in a job was remuneration. This outdated idea is completely losing its place in the post-pandemic world, with movements such as "The Great Resignation," a trend of mass voluntary resignations in the United States that began in 2021 with the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the main reasons for this change in behavior is precisely the professionals' search for companies that have purposes aligned with their personal values. In parallel to this movement of workers, research shows that 63% of HR leaders predict a stagnant salary growth next year, emphasizing the importance of initiatives such as emotional salary, which bring quality of life, health, and well-being to employees.
Companies like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Amazon among others have realized that investing in emotional salary has brought even better results. Fostering a relaxed, productive, and purposeful work environment are key factors in attracting, motivating, and retaining employees. Such companies create an atmosphere that allows people to give their best without feeling pressured.
How to explain what emotional salary is and its advantages?
It is simple! Emotional salary is a set of actions that go beyond financial remuneration, which work in the emotional and motivational realm to reward the employee, increase productivity, encourage their permanence in the company or desired behavior. Some examples are:
- Opportunity to develop new skills
- Freedom and autonomy
- Pleasant and stimulating environment
- Quality of life at work
- Balance between demands and goals
- Recognition
- Job security
- Promotions and professional growth
- Good relationship with leadership
Research conducted about motivational factors also includes rooms to rest, health benefits, assertive communication, casual dress, spaces for distraction, flexible hours, and days off on important occasions, in this order, from least to most important.
Some of the commonly identified measurable results after implementing emotional salary are reduced turnover, increased attraction of talent, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and sick leave.
The first thing if you want to implement these or any other benefits is, after calculating how much you can invest in the emotional salary, survey costs and qualities of the benefits suppliers offer. Check if there are possibilities of partnerships, with discounts on products and services is a counterpart if the company does not have so many resources.
