To implement strategies to reduce employee turnover, you first need to understand the causes of employee turnover. You can only act on things that you can control and so I’ll focus on those strategies and tactics.
I recently interviewed an applicant for a technical sales job I had posted for a client. The candidate was presently employed but was unhappy in his present job due to what he claimed was an incompetent manager.
Causes for Employee Turnover
- bad hire
- poor relationship with boss, colleague or team member
- poor management, training and support
Bad Hire
Hiring the wrong person for the job is the major cause of employee turnover. Lack of competence due to inefficient skills and inability to perform the job as expected is the case. Good hiring is essential to reduce turnover, improve job performance and retain employees. Poor attitude and lack of work ethic is also a contributor to a bad hire.
Poor Relationship with Boss Colleague or Team Member
People leave a bad relationship and not a job. This is often the case as in the real-life example I gave earlier. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure they get along with each other, but it’s the manager’s responsibility to ensure that everyone’s trying.
Poor Management, Training and Support
Most people want to know that their work contributes to the success of the department and company. They want clear expectations, good communication with their manager and feedback on the work they’re doing. They also want to use and develop their skills and knowledge to they continue to grow and evolve. People need to enjoy their work and feel valued. It’s the manager’s responsibility to fill the needs of the employees and keep them engaged with the job and the company.
Strategies to Reduce Employee Turnover: Solutions and Actions
- hire the right person for the job. Ensure they have the skills, behavioural traits and motivational interests to perform the job well.
- foster a climate of collaboration amongst team members. Be honest with each employee and treat them with respect. Encourage open and honest exchange.
- provide regular feedback on employee performance. Offer interesting work and help employees grow and develop. Seek employees input on decision-making and share your perspective and rationale.
Summary
Certain jobs and industries have greater employee turnover than others. You cannot control external forces but you can control who you hire and how you lead and coach for job success. Review the points listed above and choose one that you can turn into an improvement project or goal. Review my goal planning articles and videos to put your project into action.