Today’s employers and leaders face several challenges. The search for qualified employees is becoming increasingly difficult and lengthy, and if you want to win over the best minds on the market, you have to have a lot to offer today’s applicants.

More than ever, the tables are being turned: High potentials are choosing their employers, not the other way around. In this distinct employee market, the company must withstand the critical gaze of potential candidates and convince them of its attractiveness as an employer.

For some time now, the recruiting process has therefore become one of the most challenging tasks for companies. The war for talents, i.e. the competition between companies for the best talents and specialists, has also become a fixed part of everyday working life in Austria.

The change of values in employer branding

It wasn’t all that long ago that if an employer offered a secure job with a good or above-average salary and a generous bonus on top, then they could choose from a pool of talent and secure the candidates who best fit the advertised positions.

Today, this is no longer enough to find motivated employees. The “cash for time” model has had its day in this country.

The younger generations in particular have much higher expectations of employers today. The focus is on topics such as the working environment, flexibility and hierarchies, corporate culture, purpose, and, last but not least, how the company deals with corporate social responsibility.

In addition to salary, flexible working time models and a healthy work-life balance, appreciation, respectful interaction, well-being in the workplace and meaningful work are of particular importance today and successful instruments for Employee Retention. 

Strengthening employer branding and positioning as an employer of choice

Companies have different ideas about corporate image and what it should look like in the future. But they all have the same goals: They want to offer their employees a better jobs and retain them in the long term. Employer branding helps to improve the company’s image and reputation as well as its employer brand.

It is an important element in achieving greater employee loyalty and reducing turnover rates, which are costly for companies. Employees who feel valued by their employer stay with the company longer and perform better. This means that employers not only have the opportunity to attract new talent but also to retain existing employees.

But how does a company manage to position itself as an employer of choice and thus secure competitive advantages in the battle for high potentials and retain the best minds?

Around 300,000 employees across Austria are already using Edenred’s digital meal and food vouchers. These can be easily redeemed by recycled plastic card or directly by smartphone with Apple Pay or Google Pay at more than 20,000 redemption points in retail and catering, including online.

This ensures a balanced lunch break both in the office and in the home office – a factor that should not be underestimated, both in promoting health and employee loyalty and motivation.

The following benefits are particularly suitable as employer branding measures:

• Meal subsidy
• Gifts on occasions (e.g. wedding, birth, anniversary, Christmas)
• Public transport ticket
• Support for sports activities
• Retirement provision
• Discounts

4. Culture & Purpose: Indispensable in Employer Branding for Generation Z

It is becoming increasingly important, especially for young talents of the younger generations who are striving to enter the job market, that the company’s values match their own. Applicants are also increasingly paying attention to the sincere and authentic commitment of companies in the areas of sustainability and social issues – the keyword here is corporate social responsibility.

The purpose is becoming the criterion by which young applicants in particular choose their employer. It must create meaning and be in harmony with that of the employees in order to motivate and evoke the best.

Pay particular attention to the following points for successful employer branding:

• Sincere and authentic commitment
• No social and greenwashing
• Clear definition & communication of purpose
• Live purpose & values
• Allow employees to set their own initiatives

5. Workplace – more than just a desk

What may sound trivial at first glance is also part of employer branding: modern office environments are becoming increasingly popular. In order to work together successfully and develop innovative ideas, employees need appropriate spaces in which they can feel comfortable and develop.

Decentralized working often leads to desk-sharing concepts in offices. When desks are shared, fewer physical workstations are needed. This in turn means that space can be created for new premises. Here, the focus should be on connecting activities. Anyone who thinks a ping-pong table is the end of productivity has already lost out on some applicants. Team spirit and corporate culture can be crucial in employer branding.

A few suggestions for the use of won premises:

• Telephone boxes
• Writable walls
• Space for recreation & creative development
• Social spaces (games, food, etc.)