In the healthcare industry, the shift towards becoming a people-first company is a transformative journey that requires intentional actions and a shift in mindset. By changing hiring practices, living core values, prioritising diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), selecting human-centric technology, and empowering HR, healthcare organisations can cultivate an environment that values its workforce, drives innovation, and enhances the employee experience.

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This blog post will explore these key areas and provide insights into how healthcare companies can become true champions of people-first practices.

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What are people-first companies?

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These organisations prioritise their employees' needs, well-being, and growth. They understand that investing in their workforce can create a positive work environment, enhance employee satisfaction and engagement, and ultimately drive better employee and organisation results.

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Transforming into a people-first company takes time, but you can always start by taking action in a few key areas.

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Embrace a People-First Hiring Mindset

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To become a people-first company, leaders must view hiring as an investment rather than an operational expense. Recognise that the right workforce enhances company profits and regard hiring expenses as an investment in an asset. By adopting a Capital Expenditures (CapEx) mindset, healthcare organisations can prioritise finding the right talent that aligns with their mission, values, and long-term success.

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Cultivate a Purpose-Driven Company Culture

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Today's employees seek purpose and want to work for companies that share their values. People-first leaders take the responsibility of setting ethical principles seriously, going beyond mere statements on a wall. They integrate values into decision-making, problem-solving, and culture-setting processes. By living their values, healthcare organisations create a stronger connection with employees and foster a culture that inspires and motivates.

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Embrace DE&I

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Diversity, equity, and inclusion are crucial for a people-first company. People-first leaders understand that innovation thrives in diverse environments and recognise the social impact they can make through fair hiring practices. Evaluate representation in the hiring pipeline, implement structured interviewing to minimise bias, and continuously review the hiring system. Prioritise creating an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected and have equal growth opportunities.

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Approach human-centric technology

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Embrace technology that enhances human abilities, facilitates collaboration, and improves the employee experience. People-first companies avoid compliance-only tools and instead invest in technology that supports work-life balance, fosters inclusivity, and empowers employees. By leveraging technology that alleviates burdensome tasks and enables data analysis, healthcare organisations can provide employees with valuable insights while enhancing their overall job satisfaction.

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Put Human Needs at the Forefront

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Empowering HR to focus on meeting human needs rather than just administrative tasks is crucial for creating a people-first culture. Enable HR to help employees develop meaningful career paths, evaluate policies' impact on DE&I, and build an engaging candidate experience. Encourage collaboration between talent acquisition teams and hiring managers to identify necessary skills and implement equitable hiring practices. Recognise that employee lifetime value and a positive work experience are essential for attracting and retaining talent.

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Conclusion

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Becoming a people-first healthcare company requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to transformative actions. Embracing people-first practices benefits employees and enhances patient care, organisational reputation, and long-term success in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

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At Nolea Health, we're committed to supporting the hiring and employee retention needs of healthcare companies across the UK, so you can become a people-first healthcare organisation and deliver exceptional patient care.

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Get a demo of our hiring and retention solutions here and discover how we can help you:

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• Achieve a 60% reduction in cost per hire compared to agency fees
• Use data and insights to inform your hiring strategy
• Reduce time-to-hire to 19 days or less with our automated candidate search and outreach

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Our AI-assisted job marketplace platform matches healthcare professionals with the most relevant job opportunities across the healthcare ecosystem.

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We empower healthcare companies to retain their valuable workforce by:

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• Building a skills-based organisation
• Increasing retention
• Replacing silos with mobility

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Book a demo today!

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