How to reduce employee turnover and keep your talent

The digital industry is a vast and important part of the UK economy. As it stands there are more roles to fill than there is talent, causing a hiring crisis post pandemic. In a report collated by Totaljobs and Walter Roberts it was established that 71% of technology employers expect to face at least a moderate skills shortage in the coming year.

There are lots of reasons why an employee may decide to leave your business, perhaps they want a shorter commute, employee benefits, a pay rise, more flexibility with working hours (just to name a few). In an article by The New York Times it’s said that the pandemic has also caused many people to re-evaluate their work lives and reject a return to normal.

What can you do as an employer to retain your top talent and build a working environment your employees want to stay in? 

Flexibility to work where it’s productive 

In order to keep a collaborative and happy workforce, your business needs to put their employees’ needs first, without them, there is no business. It strikes as an odd philosophy for employers to care more about having warm seats in the office rather than a healthy and comfortable environment from which quality work is produced. Referring to the working from the office or home debate, if your employees need flexibility, provide them with the tools they need to do so. 

The more there is to learn the longer they will stay 

For any business it is important to provide employee development. Ensuring the continuation of learning new skills, not only offers a new challenge but means that your employees are at the top of their game. Employers are struggling to find and hire great talent—and as a result they are offering increasing pay, perks and opportunities. Without these opportunities, employees will begin to look elsewhere. If they can find a similar position which boosts their skills, within a business that invests in their career, it would be redundant to stay in a role that doesn’t. 

Communicate and continue to discuss employee needs 

Providing an open channel of communication for your employees creates a safe environment to share expectations and requirements. To enforce a suffer in silence mentatitly causes a lack of trust between you and your workforce. As it has been highlighted more predominantly over the last few years, health and well-being are strong subjects commonly ignored at work. The Mental Health Foundation shares that 1 in 6.8 people experience mental health problems in the workplace. Allowing your employees to share their stresses freely without fear of being singled out could curve their search for another company that cares more. 

Be clear about what works 

For most returning to the office after months of working from the comfort of their homes, is a dreary and unfair result. The pandemic has proved that for many businesses their employees can do the work and in some cases provide even better results from a comfortable and relaxing environment. That being said, there is an argument for collaboration in the office and the ideas that it creates. Setting clear remote working options or a hybrid model that both you and your employees agree on, will reduce employee turnover. The less disturbance to a well oiled team, the higher overall morale and productivity will sit. 

Get your hiring process right

As previously mentioned, the right team, in the right working environment is crucial for a successful business. The hiring process is a long and stressful task, but getting the process right should be top of your list. A candidate who has accumulated years of experience is not necessarily a better fit for the role over someone who’s skill set aligns better with less experience. This shines a light on a growing issue for employers in the online and digital industry. 58% of recruiters cite a lack of skilled/qualified candidates as the biggest hiring challenge. With the help of online technology you can create a robust hiring process that allows for skills and consideration of company culture within your candidates. Thus choosing an appropriate and skilled individual that won’t flee the role due to lack of ability or enjoyment of the working environment. 

With all the ways you can optimise and encourage talent to move to your business and keep those who have continued to grow, there is no set guarantee that will ensure you keep your workforce. You can however, to the best of your ability, provide a safe and healthy work environment that your employee’s can thrive in. A clear hiring process, open communication and transparency within your organisation will keep your employees on the same page. In a forever growing market it’s important to have great company values and keep focus on what’s important, your employees.