Currently, we are participating in the Erasmus+ project “Small companies care about employee satisfaction” (Satisf’Action) running from December 2020 up to September 2022. The aim is to enrich the work-based learning offer for small companies (up to 50 employees) by designing, testing and disseminating an innovative and practical programme for managing employee satisfaction in small companies.
The project is undertaken by 6 partner organisations from 6 different European countries: Poland – ORANGE HILL, Malta – IIF International Integrity Foundation, Spain – INDEPCIE, Czech republic – INSTITUT INPRO , France – LENO, and Greece – SMART UMBRELLA.
The project rationale
The success of any company is affected by the satisfaction of its employees. Employees who are satisfied with their jobs are more committed, productive and more likely to stay with an organization (high satisfaction implies lower turnover and absenteeism).
The research conducted before the project proved that employees of small companies feel less valued and perceive different satisfaction factors than those in big companies. Employee satisfaction is not being measured and managed in adequate manner amongst the SMEs because of: insufficient tools and actions; high costs and level complexity of available tools and not enough skilled owners and managers. Additionally, the labour market situation in Europe after coronavirus pandemic might be very difficult or even critical for SMEs what justifies special efforts for this sector to support them to compete with big companies.
All this proves the need to provide small companies with adequate knowledge and tools to measure and manage employee satisfaction in small business.
Project aims and objectives
Therefore, our Satisf’Action project aims to enrich the work-based learning offer for SMEs by designing, testing and disseminating innovative and practical programme for managing employee satisfaction in small companies, including through the use of digital technologies.
This aim reflects further objectives, like:
- to develop knowledge and skills of owners and managers of small companies to assess and manage employee satisfaction;
- to raise the awareness of the business advantage of managing employee satisfaction and creating satisfying working environment;
- to build social inclusion through the growing number of companies which take care of employee satisfaction and offer inclusive workplace.
The results we work towards
The project results will be a work-based learning programme for managing employee satisfaction in small companies, consisting of:
- a whitepaper presenting the results of mapping employee satisfaction management in small companies in partner countries on European background and promoting best practices in the field;
- a work-based learning online tool dedicated to owners and managers of small business to assess employee satisfaction and to guide the process of implementing improvements in organisation;
- a coursebook on employee satisfaction consisting of videoguide and 12 podcasts with written one-page materials.
Such resources will be made available online as open educational resources and will be published in 7 languages: English, Spanish, French, Polish, Czech, Greek and Maltese. They will also be disseminated through 6 national multiplier events and through active engagement and promotion within the business ecosystem.
Further expected results of the project are:
- Developed knowledge and skills of owners and managers of small companies on how to assess and manage employee satisfaction and to build satisfying workplace;
- Increased awareness of the need to manage the employee satisfaction and practical knowledge on how to do it;
- Implementation of aware employee satisfaction management procedures and policies in organisations taking part in the project;
- Building social inclusion through growth of number of companies which take care of employee satisfaction and offer inclusive workplace;
- Raised awareness of EU and Erasmus+ positive impact on small companies.
Who will benefit of these results?
The immediate direct users of such project results are owners and managers of small companies with up to 50 employees. These will be offered and guided on how to implement the project solutions in their organisations. Besides them, other direct users will be the various organisations and individuals who are offering HR advisory and training services to small enterprises. Furthermore, ultimate beneficiaries of the project results will be the employees of small companies, and the small business community in general – all those who benefit from solutions that help raising employee satisfaction and creating more inclusive workplaces.
For further details on the project and the results as they are being finalised, see the dedicated project website.
Even better, join us for the final dissemination event that will take place on Monday 26 September 2022 between 10:00 and 14:00 at Malta Employers’ Association offices in Valletta. For further details on the event agenda and registration go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/employee-satisfaction-assessment-toolbox-for-smes-tickets-400698047647
