Have you resolved to make your business more successful in 2016? Here are four things you should consider to improve employee morale and keep productivity high:

One: Remember That Work Can Happen Anywhere

Unless your employees are running an assembly line or waiting tables at your farm-to-table gastro-pub, there’s a good chance that they can perform their job successfully at home or other remote location. For instance, if you run a graphic design firm, there’s no reason a trustworthy employee with the right equipment can’t design from home.

If you run the type of business that sells consulting services, intellectual property or other ‘soft’ services, give some thought to the prospect of employees working offsite or telecommuting. It’s a small concession that can reap significant rewards by keeping employees productive and happy.

Two: Consider A Reboot

If you’re the type of business owner who shows up early, leaves late and expects your employees to do the same, perhaps it’s time to open your mind to a new approach.

Rather than using your energy to turn employees into like-minded clones, you’ll be more successful considering ways to mix things up and letting employees flourish under their own rules. Flex time, telecommuting, job-sharing and other methods should all be on the table. The more open your mind, the more you’ll be rewarded.

Three: And Baby Makes or Breaks It

A generation ago, a good female employee with a pregnancy typically meant a bittersweet good-bye to a valued worker. Today, women with children have more options to rejoin the workforce, however, time off limitations and other factors can still make it difficult.

As a business owner, you know how hard it is to find the right employee, so why risk losing one over maternity leave or childcare issues? Develop policies that make new mothers (and fathers) want to continue working with you. Not only will it keep a qualified employee satisfied, your business will soon earn a reputation as being open-minded and flexible.

Four: Think Like a Millennial

You’ve read enough to know that the up-and-coming millennial workforce expects flexibility. Whether you agree with it or not, work with these expectations. By giving a little, you’ll gain the loyalty of some of the most capable and educated workers to come along since you – and that can only mean good things for your business.

Being flexible and open minded aren’t new concepts to the workplace. They are however, key factors to retaining and hiring employees who expect a little more – and will give a little more – in return.