Are you stuck in a cycle of losing your best employees and then spending precious time on recruitment and hiring? Follow these 5 tips to improve employee engagement and keep your talent on board.
Annual separations rates range from 30 to 40 percent in the U.S. manufacturing sector. That’s lower than the average in all industries, but there’s definitely room for improvement.
Determined to reduce employee turnover at your company? Then read on for five ways to retain top talent.
1. nurture employee engagement
Employee engagement is the cornerstone of retention. Workers who feel connected with their peers and invested in their company’s mission will be reluctant to leave.
If you can, organize team-building exercises — and, yes, happy hour qualifies — outside the workplace so that people can relax and bond as a unit. You can also launch mentorship programs to help employees learn from and motivate one other.
2. recognize wins
In 2021, U.S. manufacturing had the second-largest increase in resignation rates after leisure and hospitality. Workers resign for many reasons, of course, but if top talent is jumping ship because they don’t feel valued by the company, that’s something you need to fix — and fast.
Start by taking every opportunity to recognize and reward success, whether on a team or individual basis. Give a shout out to workers who have gone above and beyond, as well as people who have stepped in to help colleagues under pressure. And if you’ve set up a mentorship program, as suggested above, encourage mentors to acknowledge the hard work their mentees are doing.
Combine recognition with rewards for maximum impact. This can be anything from a points system for prizes to raises or promotions.
3. make the workplace safer
Depending on the industry, your employees may face daily risks and hazards. Doing everything you can to secure the workplace shows that worker safety is your top priority. Consider automating safety procedures using continuous improvement software. This ensures that all employees complete safety training courses and allows you to keep your various safety checklists in one place.
Review the safety reports system regularly to make sure it’s fit for purpose. If workers report a problem, address it swiftly. Budget allowing, your employees may also benefit from technologies like palletizing robots and exoskeletons.
4. listen to feedback
Part of what makes workers feel undervalued is a perceived lack of voice. If you can improve employee communication, you will also generate trust and openness.
Encourage employees to come to you with questions and concerns. Thank them for their feedback, even if you don’t act on it immediately, and use their insights to improve the workplace. Employees who feel heard and valued are more likely to become long-term team players.
5. provide opportunities for career growth
Many employees feel like their career development stalled during the pandemic years. Without a sense of direction, they may feel disconnected or disengaged from their work.
To counter this, arrange one-to-ones with your workers and ask them about their career goals. The information you glean from these interviews will help you design upskilling and re-skilling programs, giving employees a powerful incentive to stick around.
Of course, an essential foundation for employee retention is hiring the right people. Explore our staffing solutions today to find workers who fit the bill.