The Employee Advantage: How Putting Workers First Helps Businesses Thrive

Companies flourish when they prioritize employees, according to this persuasive debut guide. Columbia Business School professor Meier draws on case studies to illustrate the fiscal benefits of treating workers well, recounting how Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly’s decision to give employees more autonomy and expanded benefits boosted employee engagement, which in turn increased the company’s revenue and market share. Meier makes clear that raising wages pays dividends to employers, noting that turnover at PayPal fell by over 10% after the company gave every employee stock options and increased both base pay for entry-level workers and contributions to employees’ health insurance plans. However, businesses must also stay attuned to other factors that influence employee satisfaction, Meier contends. She suggests employers should embrace collaboration, grant workers autonomy, set a vision for the company that encourages employees to feel their work is meaningful, and ensure tasks are difficult enough to stimulate employees without overwhelming them. Though suggestions to give workers purpose and autonomy are fairly standard, the wealth of real-world examples provides vivid demonstrations of such policies’ advantages. This hits its mark. Agent: Jeff Shreve, Curious Minds Agency. (Oct.)