Introduction: Keeping Quality Employees
Running a business is difficult for a variety of reasons. One of the hardest parts is trying to retain quality employees. That’s because no matter where you work, employee turnover is a real problem. Fortunately, there are ways you can counteract that. A business is only as good as the people it employees. That’s because employees are the “face of the business”, they make sure the needs of guest are met, and they do a lot of behind the scenes work. Here are 5 ways that your company can decrease the employee turnover rate.
1.) Hire Passionate People Who Fit the Job
Keeping employees who will stick around starts during the onboarding process. You want to make sure that you’re hiring the right people right off the bat. This means that you’ll have to do your research. Vet potential candidates, check their references, and ask for recommendations from previous bosses. You want to make sure that you’re hiring the best possible candidate, not just a warm body. You want someone who doesn’t just want a job. You want someone who wants to work specifically for your company because they’re passionate about the same values and are drawn in by the job description.
2.) Value Short and Long-Term Employees
Once you have quality employees in the building, it’s important to do what you can to keep them. Employees want to feel valued and they want to know that they’re making a difference in the workforce. This means offering periodic rewards. If your employee is doing a great job, make sure you’re letting them know. Bring in small treats to show tokens of appreciation for anniversaries and other special events. It doesn’t matter if an employee has been there for a few days or a few years, make sure they’re recognized if they do something great. It doesn’t always have to be in person, even just shooting an email saying “you’re doing great” goes a long way.
3.) Offer Room for Growth, Promotions
One of the top reasons that a person leaves a company is because they feel stuck. They’re sick of doing the same exact thing each and every day. That’s why jobs need to show their employees that there’s always room for growth. Offer them a promotion or a better work schedule to work towards. Show them that raises are achievable after they work for a set amount of months. People love to see that there is always room for advancements. It gives them something to work towards. It keeps them challenged, engaged, and passionate about their work.
4.) Be Flexible With Scheduling, Time Off
Emergencies arise and problems happen. That’s why a boss needs to be understanding and accommodating of an employee’s schedule. Creating a staff rota using digital tools can help a lot, if someone has a death in their family or becomes ill, they’ll need accommodations at work while they heal. That’s why it’s important for a boss to be flexible with scheduling. If an employee needs time off, allow them as long as it’s safe and smart to do so. Show them that their mental health is important and that your business is one that cares about their well-being. Offer them vacation days, sick days, and even personal days. If an employee can’t take the proper time off, they may be inclined to quit on the spot.
5.) Celebrate Successes, Important Dates
Employees want to be recognize as actual people and not just someone running a business. That’s why it’s important that employers remember details about their lives like name, birthday, and anniversary. If you remember it’s your employees birthday, take the time to give them your well wishes or shoot them a “Happy Birthday” email. Just showing that you care goes a long way.
Conclusion: Make Them Feel Like Integral Parts of the Team
Finally, employees want to feel like they’re part of a team or a family. They want to know that they’re needed or valued. Showing a little bit of appreciation truly does go a long way in trying to keep the employee turnover rate low.