7 Ways to Reduce Employee Turnover

Make sure a candidate understands the expectations of the job, is a good fit for the role and is a good fit for your culture and environment…

Employees usually quit their jobs because they are unhappy with their work or their work relationships. Here are seven ways you can help employees succeed in their jobs and achieve their career objectives to improve satisfaction and reduce turnover.

1. Communicate. 

Make an investment to keep employees apprised of what’s happening with the business so there are no surprises. Explain the reasoning behind the decisions you make so they can understand the business implications and your thought processes.

Share company financial results with every employee each month so that everyone knows what’s going well and what needs to be improved. When possible, solicit ideas from employees before you make decisions to give them the opportunity to contribute to your business strategy.

2. Help set priorities and manage expectations. 

Take the time to understand everything your employees are working on. Instead of having them guess at which assignments are most important, help them determine priorities. Teach them how to manage your and others’ expectations when there’s more work than can be accomplished in a given timeframe.

3. Show them the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Whether it’s an ambitious project or a cyclical busy period, there are often times when employees have to work long hours to get the job done. Most employees are willing to put in the extra effort, provided they see an end in sight.

Make sure that when the project is complete or the busy period is over, work returns to a more reasonable and predictable schedule.

4. Engage employees.

Just because you’re in charge, doesn’t mean you have to make all the decisions. If there’s an employee relations issue, a rumor that some employees are unhappy or a complaint that people have, form a team of employees to develop solutions to the problems.

You’ll change a complaint into constructive action and employees will feel personal ownership of the solution.

5. Take a personal interest.

After you say “Thank you,” take a moment to have a conversation with employees about what’s going on in their lives and the lives of their families. Employees will appreciate your interest and you’ll gain a better understanding of what’s important to them and what drives their motivation.

6. Respect Their Time.

Keeping employees waiting 30 minutes until you arrive at a meeting or sitting in a chair for 10 minutes while you finish a phone call sends the message that your time is important, and theirs isn’t. Show the same amount of respect for your employees’ time that you would for your boss’ time.

7. Make Good Hires.

Even though you might be in a rush to fill a position, take the time to carefully interview candidates and involve other employees in the interviewing and decision-making process.

Make sure a candidate understands the expectations of the job, is a good fit for the role and is a good fit for your culture and environment.

Need more information on how to reduce employee turnover? Check out our HR solutions to help keep employees informed and engaged.

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