5 Ways to Improve Employee Retention
May 21, 2018 – Of all the challenges that come with running a business, one that often goes overlooked is employee retention, this according to a new report by MJS Executive Search. Hiring managers and CEOs often consider getting the right people in the door to be the most crucial aspect of talent management, but the truth is that keeping those valuable employees at your company is equally important, the report says.
“Keeping the right people at your company can mean the difference between falling short and gaining a competitive edge in the market,” said Matthew J. Schwartz, founder, president and CEO of MJS Executive Search. “High turnover not only dampens your reputation and drains your company of valuable time and resources, but it’s extremely costly; by some estimates, the cost of losing an employee is 1.5-two times that employee’s annual salary.”
So what can you do to cut down on the cost of turnover and hold onto valuable talent longer? MJS offers five ways to improve your company’s employee retention.
1. Assess Culture Fit During the Hiring Process
Make no mistake: improving employee retention starts during the hiring process. “There are several key indicators that can alert you to whether or not a hire will have a high retention potential, but one such indicator is culture fit,” the report said. “When you’re interviewing a candidate, it’s crucial to understand if their experience matches the needs of the role, but you also must assess whether or not their values, beliefs, and desires match up with that of your company’s.”
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Mr. Schwartz’s report noted that during the interview process you should ask a potential hire about what they value in a workplace and honestly describe your own company culture. “Be upfront and honest about what it’s like to work at your company and assess whether or not a candidate’s personality and ideals are in alignment with that.”
For example, if a candidate describes their ideal day as being completely autonomous and heads-down, they likely won’t stick around or thrive in a workplace that places a high emphasis on collaboration. Hiring someone who aligns with your workplace culture is perhaps the single best thing you can do to improve employee retention.
2. Provide a Clear Path for Growth
One of the biggest reasons people cite for leaving a job is that they didn’t feel there was any room for growth or opportunity for advancement. “When people feel stuck or like their options are limited, they’ll likely go looking for something else,” MJS Executive Search said. “This is why it’s so important to outline a clear career path and possible growth opportunities to someone – starting from the beginning, when they’re interviewing.”
How to Retain High Performing Employees
A strong focus on employee retention strategies is vital for any company that wants to keep high-performers engaged, motivated and loyal. This means taking time to understand people as well as identifying the engagement and reward strategies that will promote their happiness and loyalty.
“You can discuss how you possibly see the role evolving over the coming years and different responsibilities they could take on or promotions that might be possible,” the report stated. “While it’s impossible to predict exactly how a role will evolve with time, you can still outline potential opportunities for someone so they don’t feel stuck.”
3. Offer Meaningful Benefits
To keep today’s employee satisfied, companies need to keep their finger on the pulse of what really matters. In a study by the Harvard Business Review, benefits that promote work-life balance such as flexibility and vacation time scored higher in importance than things like free employee outings or company retreats.
Related: Top Hurdles for Finding and Retaining Top Talent
Determine what benefits best align with your company’s values and then be sure to outline them to potential candidates during the interview process. “Before doing so, you can even ask a potential hire what benefits they find meaningful or ask your current employees what they value the most about your company’s offerings,” the MJS Executive Search report said. “Be willing to offer new benefits to keep up with changing employment trends as well.”
4. Establish Open Communication
According to multiple recent studies, communication can often fall off after a new employee is onboarded, however, you need to make it a point to touch base with a new hire on a consistent basis as they get acclimated to the job.
Top Practices for Successful Onboarding
Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be stressful and challenging. Without a formal onboarding process, the toughest parts of the first days, weeks and months at work are amplified – which isn’t good for the employee, or for your business.
“After three weeks, three months, six months, and one year, you should hold an interview with your new hire to assess how things are going and really listen to what they’re saying,” Mr. Schwartz suggested. “It may sound cliché to offer an open door policy, but it’s incredibly valuable to let your new employee know you’re available to speak with them about their concerns. They need to feel like they can come to you should challenges or problems arise.”
Related: Failure to Develop, Engage and Retain Talent Is Growing
“If you establish this level of trust right out of the gate, you’re more likely to hear when they have an issue with a coworker, an assignment, or a client,” he said. “By addressing these frustrations and working through obstacles together as they arise, an employee is more likely to stay loyal to an organization.”
5. Keep Recruiting Your Employees After They’ve Been Hired
This is one of the most crucial ways to improve employee retention, according to the MJS report. “In today’s world you can’t just hire someone and assume they’ll offer you company loyalty year after year without anything in return. Keep your employees engaged and excited to come to work each day. Small moments of acknowledgement – whether that’s recognizing an employee’s hard work or achievement or holding an office party to celebrate a big win – can do wonders to foster a positive work environment that people want to stay in.”
Related: Mentorship Programs are Important to Retaining Top Talent
Keep checking in with your employees and assessing how the relationship is progressing. The report says that once you hire someone, you still want to create a desirable work environment for them and give them reasons to stay. Show them they matter and that you care about your relationship, whether they’ve been there five months or five years.
“While some turnover is inevitable, with these tips you can keep more of your valuable employees and cut down on the costs of high turnover,” said Mr. Schwartz. “Hiring the right people – and keeping them at your company – is one of the best things you can do to give your organization a competitive edge in today’s marketplace.”
Related: Retaining New Hires Now Seen As a Critical Issue
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media