On the first day of Christmas my employer gave to me

In the season of goodwill to all, Career spent some time daydreaming about how employers could really show their appreciation to staff. By VICKI JAYNE

* On the first day of Christmas my employer gave to me a job that offers pay parity

Okay, pay disparity between men and women is not the yawning chasm it used to be, but average weekly earnings for women are still only 85 per cent those of our male counterparts and the 2001 census shows the median income for women ($14,500) lags more than $10,000 behind that of blokes.

Besides, an employer offering equality in the pay packet is more likely to offer equality in promotional opportunities - and that's still an issue. We may have an encouraging bunch of female high-fliers in New Zealand but women still hold only 3 per cent of top roles in our top companies.

On the second day of Christmas my employer gave to me two days' induction

It seems obvious that landing someone in a new organisation or new role and leaving them to "go figure" hampers productivity, undermines morale and, in some workplaces, could compromise safety. But a surprising number of employers do just that.

Two full days' induction is not a bad start and should ensure a newbie at least knows how and where to access the information they need and doesn't waste dazed hours decoding a new digital maze or finding the coffee jug. Induction should preferably have no time limit, but be customised to best suit both employee and the role they're filling.

On the third day of Christmas my employer gave to me free health checks

The healthy mind in a healthy body maxim is an oldie but goodie and it's been given extra clout by the emphasis given to stress-related problems in occupational health and safety legislation.

Companies building a reputation as employers of choice generally have comprehensive wellness programmes offering anything from 'flu jabs and eye tests to healthy eating workshops or mental health counselling. Then there are the gym discounts, company sports days, subsidised healthcare, workplace massage sessions, stress management seminars, yoga classes and quit-smoking/drinking/gambling support. They must care about me!

On the fourth day of Christmas my employer gave to me formal feedback

Well, it's good to know how you're doing, where your performance is ahead of expectations or where your time management or interpersonal skills need beefing up. The 360-degree assessment survey has become a useful tool - not to beat people over the head about their failings but to ensure they get the sort of support and training they need to really fly.

The great thing about getting honest feedback is that people often discover their self-judgment is a lot harsher than that of colleagues or staff. Turns out you're not the barely tolerated techno-klutz of your paranoid imaginings.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my employer gave to me five golden stars

Acknowledgment - you can't beat it. When you've been working until you drop and the boss makes a point of ringing or stopping by to express appreciation for your efforts, it helps to make it worthwhile.

This gold-star style of reinforcing desired behaviour is simple, direct, respectful and, therefore, more effective than poorly targeted incentive schemes. And when it comes to employee motivation, a dab of praise may not exactly substitute for a dollop of dosh but it goes a long way.

On the sixth day of Christmas my employer gave to me six days a-training

"Continuous learning" has become as much a cliche in today's business world as "change is the only constant" but both highlight a reality employers neglect at their peril: the progress game is being played at a faster pace and ongoing skill/knowledge is vital just to stay in play, let alone do well.

Companies that don't upskill workers are not only doing their business a disservice but are more likely to lose workers to those organisations that keep a weather eye on the skills their future workforce will need.

On the seventh day of Christmas my employer gave to me seven sessions' coaching

At least one global survey has found that while training alone can boost productivity by 22 per cent that gain lifts by a multiple of four if you also toss in coaching.

More organisations are introducing both it and mentoring as a vital aspect of leadership development. Having someone to keep you on track with goals or ambitions helps you to overcome often self-defined barriers to those goals. And generally, having an objective sounding board for work or personal issues benefits both the business and individual.

On the eighth day of Christmas my employer gave to me great career guidance

Today's career "ladder" is not the simple up-and-down structure of the past, and jamming people into rigid job descriptions is a good recipe for either under-using, abusing or losing their talents. The trick is to find or even create a niche that best suits an individual's skill set, aspirations, temperament and time commitment.

A good leader is one who uses their know-how to help others to fulfil their particular potential.

On the ninth day of Christmas my employer gave to me nine workstyle options

Flexibility is the workstyle mantra of the future so it's good to have a few options around when, how and where people work.

In a recent British survey, workers put the desire for work-life balance ahead of better jobs or better pay. Parents increasingly want to fit work requirements around family needs which may mean non-standard hours, job-sharing, part-time work, or even teleworking from home some or all of the time.

Companies that recognise staff have and need a life outside the workplace and cater for it are companies that get the good staff.

On the 10th day of Christmas my employer gave to me 10 weeks for babies

Well, 10 weeks' paid parental leave is a tad mean. Some employers are offering more, with a third delivered as a lump-sum incentive on return to work.

And note that it's "parental" not just "maternal" leave. Research by the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust shows that Kiwi dads want to spend more time with their kids but work intervenes.

There's little enough incentive to have kids in a world where two working parents are mostly an economic necessity. At a time when the birthrate is shrinking and the workforce ageing, some employer encouragement to reproduce could be seen as a sensible long-term investment.

On the 11th day of Christmas my employer gave to me passions a-leaping

Having an organisational leadership or culture that exudes energy, inspires enthusiasm and encourages innovation is not only invigorating but infectious. Yeah, we're all out there slaving away for the money to pay bills, buy homes, educate kids etc etc. But work consumes a heck of a lot of time so it needs to feed the spirit and soul as well as the bank account.

On the 12th day of Christmas my employer gave to me 12 months to play with

Used to be that the sabbatical was strictly the province of tenured academics but the past few years have seen it creep quietly into the corporate world and it's a great idea.

Even when everyday work is awash with challenge and excitement (and how likely is that?), people are apt to become a little stale in their approach and thinking if they've been at it for a few years. Time out - to study, travel, write a novel, do up the house or restore a classic car - without the worry of jeopardising ongoing career prospects is a real mental/physical refresher.

After the break, any employer who wooed me with all the above (12 months to play with, 11 passions leaping, 10 weeks for babies, nine workstyle options, great career guidance, seven sessions coaching, six days a-training, five goooolden stars, formal feedback, free health checks, two days' induction and a job that offers pay parity) would definitely see me back at work come Christmas 2004.