The competition for great employees is already fierce, and as the economy starts rolling again, the recruiting challenge will only get tougher. Employers need to be doing everything they can to attract strong candidates, but at the same time, they can’t lose sight of the top performers they already have.
Remember, other organizations, including your competitors, are in the same position. They’re doing all they can to bring in new employees, and they may be looking at your workforce as a potential source of talent. It’s imperative to focus now on employee engagement and job satisfaction – key elements in employee retention – before your top performers decide the grass may be greener elsewhere. Here’s how to do it.
Take the pulse of your workforce
Employers should be proactive when it comes to determining if employees are happy and committed to the organization. Start by going straight to the source: get together with your staff, from one-on-one and small group meetings to larger, companywide gatherings. It’s also a great idea to survey your team. Ask them what they like about working for your company, and what could be improved. Providing an opportunity to offer input demonstrates you’re committed to creating a work culture and environment that supports employees.
Show employees you’re listening
Once you’ve received feedback, it can’t go in one ear and out the other. It’s vital to follow up. You’ll likely have a number of comments, suggestions, and criticisms to sift through. While you should do your best in addressing them, it’s not realistic to think you can provide everything that employees want. That’s okay; more than anything, you want to make it clear that you’re listening to, and value, your employees’ opinions.
Conduct due diligence on market trends
In addition to gathering employee feedback, organizations should do their own research to understand the current market trends on issues like compensation, benefits, flex time, and other important considerations. Gather data on what other companies of your size, in your geographic area, and in your industry are doing to keep employees engaged and satisfied. Again, be responsive to what you learn; if there are areas where you’re not competitive, make the necessary adjustments.
Remain aware of the ‘COVID impact’
Employees have been through huge changes since the pandemic began. Cases may be declining and vaccinations rising, but COVID is still on the minds of employees. While some are ready to return to the office, others may have concerns and want to remain working remotely. If they’ve been productive, ask yourself whether that needs to change. It might be just the ticket to keeping a good employee on board.
When it comes to building a great workforce, retention is a critical element. Keeping top talent starts with strong employee engagement and job satisfaction, and Alaant’s experts can help your organization build a strategy that works. Contact us today and let’s get the conversation started!
