The 7 Pillars of EVP
I’ve written a few newsletters now about how an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) can take a more holistic approach to understanding what makes your employees love (or loathe) your company.
Holistic, because there’s more than one category that will define an EVP. Here I’ll explain what those categories or components are, with some example topics that fit within those categories, so you can begin to construct your EVP.
The categories I use are as follows:
Why those 7 Categories?
If you search how to build an EVP in your organisation, you’ll find a number of different variations of these categories, depending on different people’s approach to EVP. From my extensive research and practical application, I have found that these 7 work best for me – if you find there are too many, or they don’t match your rewards, that’s absolutely fine too.
Here we go:
“Who you are, why you do what you do, and how employee and employer can be aligned”
Topics include:
- Company Vision, Mission, Goals
- Social Media Presence
- Ethical Company
- The CEO
- Brand Image
Example Company: GOOGLE
I used to work in an agency where I’d ask candidates ‘name 5 dream companies you’d want to work for and why’, and 9 out of 10, often without knowing about what it’s like to work there, would say ‘Google, because they’re an incredible brand’.
“Values, norms, and behaviours that shape the environment”
Topics include:
- Social Events
- We Have Fun
- Positive Environment
- Shared Values
- Empowered Employees
Example: Netflix
See ‘The Culture Code’ by Patty McCord. This is a great example of how Culture can be front and centre, focusing on Netflix and their now famous ‘Culture Doc’.
Example 2: EMJ
Where I am now, we put Values front and centre, which means we have people who are all heading in the same direction, going the extra mile, and having fun while we do so!
“The Physical and psychological workplace environment for success”
Topics include:
- Office Location
- Hardware to do the job
- On-site facilities
- Tech Support
- Software to do the job
Example: Lego
Physical environment? Check out some of their iconic offices. Their green credentials are pretty good too – introducing plant based materials and commitment to making all products sustainable by 2030.
“Tangible rewards, benefits, and perks”
Topics include:
- Salary
- Bonus
- Healthcare Plans
- Stock Options
- Home office equipment allowance
Example: John Lewis
Yes financial institutions like JP Morgan or Goldman Sachs you’d think would feature highly in this space, but John Lewis make all their employees partners, with a stake in the business and an annual bonus.
“Growth and development opportunities within the organisation”
Topics Include:
- Opportunity to become an Expert
- Performance Reviews
- Job Security
- I have a Purpose
- Internal Training
Example: Reed Recruitment
I was lucky enough to take part in the ‘Reed Academy’, a dedicated recruiter pathway through your early career. The 4 year academy resulting in an accreditation, with best in class training unrivalled in the agency world.
“Interactions and connections to the company and each other, a sense of belonging”
Topics Include:
- Recognition
- My Manager
- I can deliver feedback
- Buddy Scheme
- Cross Team Collaboration
Example: Virgin
Richard Branson’s main asset are his employees, they have a people first approach and believe happy and motivated employees lead to better business outcomes and customer experiences.
“Supporting physical, mental and emotional health of employees”
Topics Include:
- Fitness Subsidies
- Mental Health First Aiders
- My Voice Is heard
- Parental Leave
- Holiday Allowance
Example: Patagonia
Flexible hours, on-site childcare facilities, they’re committed to a healthy work environment to match their focus on environmental sustainability.
For more information on EVP, or how CHEER can help you implement it in your company, click here