The HR World’s Quick Guide to Retention Strategies
The importance of employers retaining their talent is undeniable, even though the Great Resignation or Great Reshuffles have passed. It is expensive to replace staff. Not only financially, but also in terms of the impact on the remaining staff, the image and reputation of the company, and the experience that customers have. And at the end of the day, if you <a href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/650174/employee-retention-depends-getting-recognition-right.aspx#:~:text=Gallup%20estimates%20that%20replacing%20leaders,losses%20in%20morale%20and%20knowledge. If you recognise your employees well, retention is possible.
How can turnover of employees be avoided? a certain level of turnover is healthy . Organizations need to find new talent, ideas and energy to replace the ones who have retired. success will be short-lived without a strategy to retain talent, industry knowledge and people within an organisation.
Best retention practices must be flexible to accommodate the needs and desires of today’s employees. For organisations to be successful, they need to be aware that there are differences between generations and implement retention programs which show employees how important they are to the company and their value.
Delivering a clear, effective strategy is about providing enough pull factors to keep your employees engaged and prepared to work.
The Key Takeaways
- Find the best retention strategy for your company.
- Although pay is important, it’s not the only thing.
- Flexible working arrangements, such as those resulting from a pandemic, are now expected.
- Employees must be able to envision a bright future and also experience the present.
- You should be aware of the reasons why customers leave your company.
Table of Contents
1. Flexible working
After the pandemic, there are few companies that do not provide some form of flexibility for their employees. Employees have the right to request flexible working. This right will be a “day one” right by 2025. Flexible work allows employees to balance their work and personal lives. This creates a better work-life equilibrium, which in turn increases their satisfaction. Employees are more likely than not to remain with their employer if they receive a fair balance and a sufficient amount of reward.
2. Flexible location
The pandemic again taught businesses that their employees do not need to be in the office to perform well. Technology allows everyone to stay in touch and involved with their work, wherever they are. Some employees may even be able to deliver goods for a company in another country, depending on the job and the required contact between the employer. This requires good management across the company as teamwork and project work are more difficult in this situation. It is also important to pay attention to the technological side of things – ensuring that people are connected safely and effectively to do their work.
3. Paying higher wages
Pay and rewards still play a major role in retaining top talent. The cost of living crisis is making this a particularly important factor across all levels. Employers may also choose to be creative with their reward packages, by offering benefit package that are flexible. This is especially effective for multigenerational workers, as it allows each person to tailor their work experience according to their personal goals and desires. Flexible benefits and rewards can be tailored to specific life stages – for example, what new parents need will differ from that of those nearing retirement.
4. Flexible pay (prompt pay)
The cost of living crisis has once again brought to light the importance of how individuals are paid for their work. In the past, employees had to wait for a certain pay day to receive their reward. In some cases, this waiting period can be significantly reduced. The financial and payroll technologies have enabled employers to pay employees faster – often hours after the shift is over. The prompt payment of employees is attractive and may influence their choice of workplace.
5. Workplace Culture
The workplace culture is crucial to retaining employees. The workplace is where people spend the majority of their time. It should be a place in which they feel welcome, included and recognised. Achieving the right workplace culture is key to retaining and attracting the employees you need for your business’ success. It creates a self-fulfilling loop: if you can get the culture of the company just right, you will be able to attract and retain those people.
6. Wellbeing
Now, employers are expected to take care of their employees beyond just the salary. Health and wellbeing is now a key part of any benefit package. This is not just because it’s good for the employees, but also because initiatives can have an enormous impact on employee retention and productivity. The four main pillars of wellbeing are: financial, mental and social. Employers can provide a range of resources in these areas: discounts, gym memberships and other benefits, support services, helplines, clubs, etc.
In our podcast episode How to Stop Wasted Money, we discussed how ensuring that your employees are happy, healthy, and motivated is a complex and costly matter. Multiple generations, diverse employees, and hybrid working are all factors that make it difficult to deliver a cohesive benefits package.
The more resources an employer offers, the greater the chance that he will be able to engage and support employees from different generations. This allows them to retain talent from all backgrounds.
7. Training and Development
Training and Development Resources can be a major factor in whether or not an employee feels the need to leave an organisation. It’s a two-edged blade – it’s expensive to invest in someone’s knowledge and skills if they take them and move on, but, as was also pointed out, wouldn’t it be worse if they stayed in the company and you didn’t? To ensure that initiatives and training are successful, employers must be clear about the type and level of opportunities available within their company. Are there opportunities for development and promotion that will keep the talent in the company? Talent can be moved around an organisation for new challenges, to unite different interests and more. The ability to progress is a powerful tool for retaining talent, but the employer must be honest and provide real opportunities.
8. Work with Purpose/ESG
Employees want to feel that their work is positive. They also care about the pay. This aspect of the work is more relevant to the younger generation in the workplace, who are concerned with the impact they have on the world and the importance of ‘doing well’. Work must have a goal to engage the workforce, and get their attention and skills.
9. Onboarding
New employees’ first experiences can have a significant impact on the way they experience their workplace. The first impressions of a new employee will be tainted if they have a confusing, complex and admin-heavy experience. must be brought into an organization with confidence and efficiently. This will ensure that every newcomer is aware of where they are expected to be and what their work will contribute to the company as a whole.
Our speakers at The HR World’s webinar on Onboarding agreed that this event is important in the employment relationship. They also discussed ways to make it more enjoyable, efficient and impactful.
[embedded content]
10. Exit strategy
It’s a reality that you will lose employees, but this is also a chance to learn. A good exit strategy includes an exit interview where employees are asked to give feedback about their experiences working at the company, both positive and negative. They should also be asked their general feelings. This information can be used to address any issues and highlight the positives. A good exit strategy is more than this. A positive exit strategy will make the employee feel good about the employer. It will also help to retain and attract employees, as they gain a reputation of being fair and kind.
FAQs
How can I determine if my retention rate is good or bad?
You can find information on retention rates for your industry and company. They can range from HR representatives, to ONS and even independent research. It is unlikely that the data will directly relate to your situation, but you can find enough data to compare your organization to others.
What is the simplest way to increase retention?
You can turn the tide by addressing ‘low-hanging fruit’ such as rewards and remuneration. Simply offering someone or a group better pay could be enough. It is possible that these measures are only temporary. Retention issues may be more about company culture or the experience of working at a business. As a result, modifying retention figures will likely be a long-term project.
Should I accept the fact that my industry has always experienced high employee turnover?
You may find that your staff turnover is high due to the nature of work and the people who apply for the jobs. But that does not mean that you have to accept it. It may make sense to invest in retention strategies even in industries with a ‘naturally high’ turnover. Think about the value of having employees who stay longer. Not only will it save you money, but they’ll also retain their knowledge and skills. This could lead to a better customer experience and a stronger brand.
In conclusion
data will always be your best friend when it comes to archiving. You may not be aware of problems or difficulties in your business unless you know who is leaving and where they are coming from. It may be difficult to deal with employees leaving your organisation, but you can learn a lot from them about how you run your business and the industry you work in. Comparing your organization to other organisations can be a great way to find out what needs to change.