Today’s “new normal” means high turnover, lower retention rates, and a big worker shortage. Unfortunately, this trend isn’t showing signs of slowing down with more and more Americans leaving their jobs. The good news is that when it comes to retention, you can take a few simple steps to improve your rates and hold onto your best workers. Here are some tips to consider:
#1: Offer flexible scheduling.
The pandemic changed the way people work. It’s now clear that telecommuting, hybrid schedules, and flex hours can actually improve productivity instead of reduce it. So, if you’re still holding back on letting your employees work a more flexible schedule, now’s the time to change your policy. Today’s best workers want to have some say over where and when they work, whether it’s partially remote or flex hours in the office.
#2: Focus on employee development.
The top performers at your company want the chance to learn new skills, expand their knowledge base and grow as professionals, so they can advance their careers. Provide these opportunities whether it’s through a mentoring program, paying for online courses or seminars, or encouraging them to earn certifications in key areas.
Also make sure you’re working with them to create a structured career path based on their goals, interests and your company needs. Not only will this help you keep your best workers, but attract new ones, as well.
#3: Promote from within.
Another key step to retaining your employees is to have a “promote from within” policy. This doesn’t mean only hiring from within. However, when employees know they have a good chance of moving up with your company, they’re more likely to remain with you for longer.
#4: Recognize and reward employees.
Your people are your most important asset. You should therefore be recognizing and rewarding them for a job well done. You can create a formal rewards program to do this, or simply make sure you’re thanking your employees and offering incentives, such as extra vacation days, bonuses, or other rewards as they meet company goals.
#5: Promote a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance.
The pandemic made many professionals realize how unhappy they were at work. However, when you have a healthy office culture, promote good habits, and encourage a positive work-life balance, you’ll be able to better retain your employees. You can even consider establishing a wellness program that offers perks, such as free or discounted gym memberships, on-site exercise classes, and access to benefits, like mental health and financial counseling.
Get help hiring and retaining employees.
As a leading staffing firm serving the Northwest, Provisional Recruiting knows what today’s top candidates want in an employer. We can help recruit better fit people – right from the start – improving retention in the process. Contact us today to learn more.