Why Employee Retention Matters

The Time Cost of Poor Employee Retention

Every business wants to grow, but part of that means maintaining a group of happy, engaged employees to make it happen and take care of customers. Unfortunately, retaining employees can be difficult. In Canada, the turnover rate is 16%, while in the United States it is 13%, with 14% of the separations occurring voluntarily in both countries. Once an established employee leaves, your staff may have to put in extra time to compensate for the loss and increased workload, and any training the new hire will need. On top of their day-to-day, Human Resources employees will have extra work to do as they search for, screen, and interview candidates, and later oversee orientation. Losing employees results in extra costs, such as recruiting, enforced overtime, lost productivity, and can lower morale.

The Financial Cost of Poor Employee Retention

According to the Society for Human Resources Management, “employee replacement costs can reach as high as 50 to 60 percent of an employee’s annual salary.” Depending on the position’s rank and technical skills involved, other sources have said it can cost anywhere from 20% of the salary to three to five times that to hire a new individual. Huffington Post has cited other sources of costs, including “ramp time to peak productivity, loss of engagement due to high turnover, higher business error rates, and general culture impacts.” Recruiting and training costs are expected, but performing exit interviews, advertising new openings, and fulfilling background and drug checks, and contacting reference takes time and money too.

Why Do Employees Leave?

In Canada, the average tenure is 8.5 years per position, and in the U.S., the median tenure is 4.2 years. Younger workers are more likely to leave and pursue new opportunities. According to a global study by iMercer, these are the top three reasons people leave their jobs:

• 45% said lack of opportunity to advance
• 41% said dissatisfaction with senior management
• 36% said dissatisfaction with workplace environment/culture

Employers can do plenty to make sure their staff are satisfied and have no desire to leave. Ensuring that employees are aware of internal opportunities that would allow them to move within the company and further develop their careers is an effective way to keep everyone motivated.

How Good Work Hygiene Practices Help Retain Staff

Maintaining a positive culture and pleasant work environment will go a long way too. It is worth noting that 89% of workers believe the conditions of restrooms reflect how much their company values them. Poorly kept restrooms can cause workers to believe their employer does not care about them or their basic needs. Investing in employees’ health and wellbeing is effective in keeping morale up, and amenities like first aid kits and AEDs provide a sense of safety.

How to Keep Your People

Good hiring practices can help to decrease turnover. Hiring based on “shared values and cultural beliefs” leads to “winning results” per Forbes. A university study also had similar findings; employees who fit in with their company, coworkers, and supervisor experienced greater job satisfaction, were more likely to stay, and were more productive. In 2017, a survey by Kronos and Future Workplace found that 87% of employers said improving retention was a critical priority. And while Millennials will make up about 50% of the workforce by 2020 and are the most likely to change jobs, their professional desires are not unlike other generations. Harvard University found that Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers all had similar long-term career goals, such as financial security, making a positive impact, and help solve social and/or environmental issues.

Creating an environment where staff can thrive, grow their careers, and feel that their time is valued and well spent will help to increase retention. Listening to your employees and making necessary changes will also aid retention and help your business avoid the costs of rehiring.

If it’s your building or work environment that needs improvement, Citron Hygiene can help. We specialize in innovative commercial hygiene products and services. Contact us today to discuss your upgrading your restrooms and hygiene facilities today.