As an employer, when you’ve invested the time, energy, as well as resource into finding and hiring new talent, the chances are, you’ll be wanting that employee to stay with your company for a long period of time. Of course, it’s no secret that the job market is at its most competitive, with companies continuously looking for new – and perhaps innovative – ways to attract and retain talent. So how can businesses keep employees engaged, instead of vacant and looking for another role? As we look forward to the new year, the recruitment experts at Zoom Recruitment have put together this guide to help businesses create a strategy shaped around employee retention in 2023 and beyond.
Offer flexible working
It will come as no surprise to hear that flexible working is top of our list. If your company is in a position to offer flexible working schedules, then do it. Why? Simply put, recent figures reveal that around eight out of 10 workers in the UK favour flexible working hours over other benefits and employment packages.
What is flexible working? In short, flexible working is designed to suit the employee’s needs, for example, flexibility around start and finish times, or even working from home.
The traditional nine-to-five working week has undoubtedly changed over the past few years, with more employees adopting a hybrid working schedule. Offering a flexible, hybrid or even fully remote work schedule will not only help to attract new talent but is fundamental for retaining employees.
Of course, we recognise that in certain roles, working from home isn’t always possible. So if that sounds familiar, here are several alternative solutions to ensure staff have a good work-life balance:
- Staggering start and finish times – giving employees the opportunity to start later or finish earlier but still do the hours required
- Introduce a ‘flexi-time’ system, whereby staff are able to work fewer hours one day but make up for those hours on a different day
- The option to buy or sell annual leave
- Consider job sharing or part-time working arrangements
Refresh the business’s benefits package
If a business wants to retain its talent, they need to be offering competitive salaries and attractive benefits packages. Along with boosting an employee’s wages, companies might also look at improving the benefits available to staff as well, for example, an improved retirement plan, or additional days of annual leave – in particular, consider rewarding loyal long-term staff with extra holiday. Not only will this demonstrate value internally, but a competitive salary and enticing benefits package can also be used to attract new talent to the organisation.
Invest in current staff
One of the best ways an employee can successfully retain top talent is by investing in the staff they already have. A business should tap into an employees’ desire to develop and learn, by investing in their career development and creating opportunities for growth. By working with employees to enhance their skill set through additional training and mentoring programmes, staff are much more likely to feel valued and ultimately, will want to stay at that company.
Promote internally
Better still, promote within. If you have hardworking, highly-skilled and enthusiastic staff members within your organisation, don’t risk losing them – instead, look at how they can grow at your business. Consider working with staff to put a six or 12-month career development plan in place, with the goal at the end being promotion. By doing this, employees will recognise that there are opportunities to grow within the business.
Give recognition when recognition is deserved
Showing appreciation for employees can be as easy as saying thank you – simple but always highly effective. Give recognition when it is deserved by highlighting staff achievements, efforts and hard work, by letting them know how much the business appreciates them. Ensuring staff feel valued and respected is key to any retention strategy. Remember, while you might decide you want to reward staff financially, saying ‘thank you’ costs a business nothing.
Create a positive working environment
There’s no denying that culture is king when it comes to successfully retaining top talent. Here are five ways you can look at improving the culture of your business:
- Make sure staff know that their well-being and mental health are a priority
- Take time to support managers and leaders, so they, in turn, can also be supportive
- Enhance job security
- Handle unethical and toxic behaviour appropriately and when necessary
- Promote the company’s goals, mission, vision and values – and make sure they are reflected throughout the organisation
Are you an employer wanting to recruit? Or a job seeker looking for a new role? Contact Zoom Recruitment
At Zoom Recruitment, we have a wealth of extensive knowledge in the recruitment and headhunting industry. Our expert team of experienced advisors can support both employees and candidates throughout their entire recruitment journey. If you’re looking to recruit or are considering a career change in 2023, then this is the time to get in touch with Zoom Recruitment.
