“This is an age when we hear double-talk and fake promises too often. It is essential that an employer is consistent with their needs, expectations and expected outcomes with both their management and staff. In other words, communicate.”
Written by Liz Ludchak, ROLINC Staffing Office Coordinator
Sitting in business settings with colleagues, I often listen to comments about why companies are hiring people but never about keeping people. No sooner is the hiring process completed than another position needs to be filled. Is it the hiring pool? Is the company requiring too much? Is it the management? Or is it something that threads them all together?
In April, ROLINC Staffing hosted its first webinar with the goal of daring to discuss this topic. “Strategies for Improving Employee Retention” jumped into discussing why employee retention is important to finding and keeping those employees who make a successful company. The topic itself could be taught in a three-hour segment (and I for one would love to see them delve deeper in future webinars). But what jumped out at me was the topic of communication.
“You cannot deliver on everything that everybody wants.[…]Communicate on how you are going to deliver on those promises,” says Adrian Dominguez, COO of ROLINC Staffing.
I felt this quote flow through the entire webinar. This is an age when we hear double-talk and fake promises too often. It is essential that an employer is consistent with their needs, expectations and expected outcomes with both their management and staff. In other words, communicate.
Clear communication can be difficult to achieve, however. This is especially true in companies where there are many employees and levels of management. How much does a manager discuss? What does an employee really need to know?
The webinar explained how it came down to management being able to talk to their employees in an open manner (think open-door policy), check in without micromanaging, and make the employees feel like they are wanted and valued.
The simple gesture of smiling, saying hello, and reminding everyone that the company is a team with everyone working together toward the common goal is the most important thing.
True, it is sometimes far more complicated. But many managers don’t even get that far, which can turn into a costly financial mistake when good employees leave because they feel as though they are not heard.
In the end, honesty is the best policy, as old fashioned as it sounds. Employers need to keep the lines of communication open, which will gain them a longer retention of employees who then feel they are part of the company, and thus part of the team.
If you are interested in viewing our April webinar, Strategies for Improving Employee Retention, please Contact Us.
