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Every year we hold a Veterans Day Office Giveaway contest, and this year we wanted to find out what makes United States veterans passionate about the work that they do. Please enjoy these #WhyWeWork stories and share your own in the comments below!

 

"Working with kids is my passion! My team works with middle schoolers that have been diagnosed with numerous behavior and mental disorders like autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, etc. These kids usually come from low income homes that struggle to provide enriching activities, clean clothes, hygiene habits and sometimes even a safe place to be themselves. Our office provides therapeutic interventions and family and individual counseling sessions." - Shanna R

 

"I have worked for a small construction firm for 19 years. I have seen the company in the highest of highs and the lowest of times. Our company has always banded together and made it through. The employees I work with are more than coworkers. We are family, and we strive to do the best job possible for our customers." - Carolyn C

 

"It was a great time in my life and allowed me to serve my community and family in the best way possible. Service allowed me to see more of the world than I ever would have." - Mike R

 

"As a veteran I am excited to be able to work with a variety of clients in our manufacturing industry at my new job I started a month ago. Being the new office manager means I get to do a variety of things like supporting my team, improving the office, and streamlining things here to make the office more organized and efficient." - Robyn A

 

"I like helping people plan and achieve their dreams." - Graeme W

 

"My company motto is "Safe and Secure," and through my military service, work, and family life, it has been my goal to apply that phrase in a meaningful way to my wife and kids, community and country." - Neil K

 

"IT is all about service and paying forward to the future of our children and the generations to follow. As an SDV and father I have made sacrifices so that my children may live in a safer world. As an architect and builder, I practice so others may have a safer place to work and live. As a business owner supporting our country, I am called to fill that needed role as SDVOSB." - Roger R

 

"I believe service takes on many forms. For me, it meant 4.5 years as an officer in the US Navy, working to honor the rights and freedoms of Americans and supporting our allies abroad. Service in my years after the military has meant working in public education across the country. As a teacher, curriculum specialist and now as a family and community engagement manager for Kansas City Public Schools. My position allows me to serve the students and families of the district by finding community partners to meet their needs. It's rewarding work made better by my years of service that taught me to always put others first. Service matters, everyday." - Samara CH

 

"I loved defending my fellow American by fighting for this beloved country and now as a DFCS worker I get to help and serve the same people I helped during my time with the armed forces, especially our veteran clients! Hoo-Rah!!" - Jacque C

 

"As a Chief Petty Office in the Navy, my job was to lead, motivate and train my sailors to replace me at some point in their career. Now that I am retired from active duty, my job as a Navy College Director is to provide sailors with the opportunity to meet whatever goals they set for themselves. It is much the same as what I did while still serving. I get to work with the finest sailors in the world's greatest Navy on a daily basis. Just being able to do that makes me happy to get up and go to work every day." - John C

 

"I currently work two jobs; one with the homeless population in social work, and the other as an admin assistant. I have a child that is two years old as well. So, I work two jobs, I go to school full time, and I am a mother. I have sacrificed so much, but the rewards are so great! I am the only one of six children to graduate college. I do this for myself, and for my child. I want others to know that hard work, determination and perseverance pays off. Never stop chasing your dreams. I didn't, and the rewards are worth the sacrifices in the end." - Ashley H

 

"I am a county veterans service officer. I help veterans and their families get the benefits that they have earned. I love helping others." - Chris L

 

"I advocate for veterans through the Veterans of Foreign Wars as it is a 100+ year organization that provides a safe place for returning veterans and the issues the struggle with after their service. The VFW saved me and I am doing my part to ensure it is here a 100 years from now to help veterans I will never know and who will never know me." - Dan W

 

How's that for inspiring? You can inspires others too! Just tell us why YOU work and what makes you love your job in the comments below. Read more inspiring #WhyWeWork stories here.

Why We Work

More From NBF

#WhyWeWork—Share Your Passion. Inspire Others.

We're passionate about why we work—to help people across the United States create the beautiful office they deserve. That's why all of us at National Business Furniture are committed to helping everyone discover the passion and pure joy that comes from a job well done. See what drives these employees, and tell us why you love your job too!

#WhyWeWork Twitter Chat with NBF

Last month we held our first #WhyWeWork Twitter chat in an effort to learn more about what makes people love what they do and encourage employees to share their love of work with the world. Below you'll find our six questions along with some great answers. Be sure to follow National business Furniture on Twitter for daily content including videos, office inspiration and, of course, more #WhyWeWork stories like these!

10 Things You Can Do to Attract and Retain Millennial Talent

10 Things You Can Do to Attract and Retain Millennial Talent

Millennials are the present and future of business in the United States, currently comprising the largest portion of the workforce at about one-third. While the need to hire employees between 18 and 34 is undeniable, employers are finding a noticeable shift in what it takes to get millennials through the door and keep them working for the business in the long term. Gone are the baby boomer days of sticking with one company for an individual's entire career, but if you want to attract and retain millennial talent for as long as possible, consider these options.

1. Keep It Casual

This generation values their work environment in addition to compensation. They want work to feel like an extension of their personal life, often viewing coworkers as an extended family within their home away from home. 

To create this sense within your office, offer a casual dress code for at least part of each week. Also, work to keep office interactions casual while maintaining the level of professionalism necessary for the business to run smoothly. For example, holding on-the-fly meetings in a touchdown lounge area or breakroom rather than scheduling every meeting in constantly overbooked conference rooms is a great way to create a sense of ease and fluidity among employees. Not every business interaction needs to be a scheduled and formal event.

2. Make It Beautiful

According to a 2017 study from IPSOS, millennials, more than any other generation, prefer a professional work environment that features beautiful interior design and visually appealing office furniture. In fact, 76% of adults between the ages of 18 and 34 and 55% between the ages of 35 and 54 state that office design and aesthetics influence their overall impression of a company, compared to only 39% of adults ages 55 and up who feel the same way. Of these, millennial women—particularly those living on the west and east coasts of the United States—are the most likely to be positively influenced by good interior design at the office. To appeal to these employees, keep up with modern office design trends and ergonomic furniture options such as adjustable office chairs and standing desks.

3. Watch Your Branding

In addition to an attractive office, younger respondents to the IPSOS study indicated a higher level of influence regarding the overall look and branding of a company, including logo design and its website. This points to a desire millennial and Gen Y Americans have to work for a company that knows how to present itself to the outside world.

4. Eliminate the 9–5 Schedule

Restricting employees to specific working hours is not conducive to productive work. Think about it: Not everyone is an early bird, and not everyone is a night owl. So why should everyone be constrained to working the same hours? Allow employees to come in as (reasonably) early or stay as (reasonably) late as they want so individuals can work during hours that are conducive to their working style. Don't worry—they'll still get their work done.

 

5. Provide Training

The average millennial climbs the corporate ladder much quicker than previous generations, and feeling stuck in one position for too long will not bode well for retainment. Managers should regularly check in on their employees to ensure job happiness is met and provide career growth opportunities via consistent training. Whether this means on-the-job training, attending more industry conferences, or experimenting within the position will depend on the individual and their career aspirations.

6. Give Purpose Beyond the Paycheck

Although micromanaging should be avoided, check in with your employees more than once or twice a year during performance reviews. Millennial employees want to know that the work they're producing impacts the business positively. Managers should share the finer details with their employees as validation they're on the right track or that their work may need improvement. In any case, they'll want to know where they stand.

7. Offer Team-Building Activities

Not only do employees want their office to feel like home, but they want their coworkers to feel like friends and family, too. Lines of professionalism should never be crossed, but business owners and managers can take the time to host company events and various team-building exercises. This will help build positive relationships between coworkers and relieve the day-to-day stress of work. 

8. Sponsor Volunteer Opportunities

Better yet, combine your team-building exercises with corporate-sponsored volunteer activities to create a sense of employee togetherness while also supporting a good cause. At National Business Furniture, we have an employee-run volunteer committee made up of a representative from each department. The committee organizes multiple volunteer events throughout the year. We even offer our employees paid time off should they want to participate in any volunteer events not organized by NBF. This incentive encourages employees to give back to the community and creates a caring corporate community all our own.

9. Be Flexible

Millennials place greater value on benefits than on salary in most cases. To account for this, keep your work environment and policies flexible to account for ever-changing needs. Allowing employees to work from laptops in any area of the office will prevent them from feeling chained to their desks day in and day out. Take that a step further and allow employees to work remotely when possible. They'll appreciate the flexibility and be more likely to stay with your business long-term.

10. Pay Them Well

Yes, benefits and work environment are important, but there's no substitution for good pay. While this may be the rule for all generations, millennials are not the exception in this particular case. Pay poorly, and your employees will move on. Be fair when determining compensation, offer yearly performance-based raises, and don't think that benefits can ever replace a good wage.

 

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Nicole Groshek

Nicole Groshek is the social media and content coordinator for National Business Furniture. She helps employees discover the true joy in loving what they do, from working in an inspiring office to having a little fun on the job.