Top 5 Tips to Retain Staff

Written by Virginia Sarkis

As an employee in the recruitment industry, I am very well aware of the high staff turnover levels that are related to this workforce. Recruitment is a tough industry & a lot of people cannot handle the pressures which reflects in poor levels of staff retainment. Employee retention is critical to the success & productivity of your business and attention must be paid. There are a variety of different ways in which employers can keep their staff happy & this includes my top 5 following tips:

• Employee Recognition & Acknowledgement
  Employees like to feel valued & like to feel that what they are doing is making a difference. A little compliment on an employees work here and there will  work wonders & will allow your employees to feel valued. Another idea is too acknowledge the hard work of your staff in weekly or monthly meetings &  share this with the rest of your team to inspire them & encourage them to work  as effectively. Furthermore, rewarding employees with bonuses is a top way to ensure satisfaction.
  
  
• Get Personal
  Do not treat your staff as numbers but more so as an acquaintances. Talking  business 8 hours a day, 5 days a week is not logical & will not work in your favour. It could be as simple as discussing their weekend or special events in their lives or even personal issues. Developing a strong relationship with your staff is key to a healthy relationship ensuring satisfaction which will lead to retention.
  
  
• Keep Them Informed
  It is important to keep staff informed on daily happenings in the business. They are involved in the day to day operation of the business & should be informed of things that may come up. Do not let your staff find things out from other people in the office, It is better if it comes from management as it illustrates good communication & will make your staff feel included and valuable.
  
  
• Have Monthly Events
  Keep things fun and exciting in the office by having monthly events. These events could be fun, innovative activities the staff can engage in, or could be something simple like having morning tea at your Monday team meeting. It is important to keep things fun in the office to avoid dissatisfaction.
  
  
• Give Them Advice
  Many employees like to improve on areas in which they are weak or lacking experience. It wouldn't hurt to give a bit of constructive criticism here and  there to your employees to make sure they are aware of their strengths & weaknesses. This can be done in annual reviews or monthly meetings & will allow your staff to build themselves up & help them grow.