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Hang On To What You've Got!By Robert GraberCEO, WallStJobs.comTuesday, January 08, 2008 |
If you think that a firewall or email scan will stop the hemorrhage of qualified staff from your company, think again. These are minor impediments to an employee who is either actively looking or is at least open to hearing about a new opportunity (and who isn't?)
The bottom line: Assume your people are currently being wooed by another firm or recruiter.
So what can you do to keep your best people? Well, it is impossible to make your firm 100% turnover-proof. People will leave despite your best efforts to the contrary. Some would argue that a small degree of turnover is good for an organization because it brings in new thinking and forces management to review its employment policies and work environment.
However, you can institute some minor changes that can make the workplace more pleasant and make employees feel more appreciated and therefore less likely to jump at the first overture from a headhunter.
INTER-NOT
Don't take a knee-jerk response to employee poaching by overly restricting internet access. A system mired with screening software and passwords just projects a 'bunker mentality' to employees and can even imply a sense of distrust towards your most important resource: your staff.
CARBO-LOAD
Invest a little into Comfort Food. Providing breakfast, lunch or dinner (when working late) to your employees goes a long way to showing them that you take a sincere interest in their well being.
GERM OF AN IDEA
Provide antiseptic wipes and water-free hand cleanser. More than ever before, people are concerned about "catching something" in the workplace. By providing health conscious supplies, you are actively addressing an issue that is on everyone's mind. Of course, an added bonus is that you will be reducing absenteeism.
TITLE INSURANCE
Even if a salary increase might not be possible (or at least a large increase can not be funded), a smaller amount of money coupled with a change in title can make a real difference in an employee's attitude towards their career. Titles have intrinsic value beyond dollars.
According to a report released by the Pew Internet Project, 52 million Americans have used the internet to search for a job. And with internet access at work being the rule and not the exception, it is only logical to accept the probability that some of your employees are in some stage of job transitioning. Those who are determined to leave, will do so no matter what you do (and in such a case, it is probably for the best). But for most employees, satisfaction with their situation and a sense of belonging to a firm where there is a future, can make it much harder to succumb to temptation.
About WallStJobs.com
WallStJobs.com is the premier recruiting source exclusively for financial service professionals and is a member of the Jobosaurus family of uniquely specialized recruiting sites.
The bottom line: Assume your people are currently being wooed by another firm or recruiter.
So what can you do to keep your best people? Well, it is impossible to make your firm 100% turnover-proof. People will leave despite your best efforts to the contrary. Some would argue that a small degree of turnover is good for an organization because it brings in new thinking and forces management to review its employment policies and work environment.
However, you can institute some minor changes that can make the workplace more pleasant and make employees feel more appreciated and therefore less likely to jump at the first overture from a headhunter.
INTER-NOT
Don't take a knee-jerk response to employee poaching by overly restricting internet access. A system mired with screening software and passwords just projects a 'bunker mentality' to employees and can even imply a sense of distrust towards your most important resource: your staff.
CARBO-LOAD
Invest a little into Comfort Food. Providing breakfast, lunch or dinner (when working late) to your employees goes a long way to showing them that you take a sincere interest in their well being.
GERM OF AN IDEA
Provide antiseptic wipes and water-free hand cleanser. More than ever before, people are concerned about "catching something" in the workplace. By providing health conscious supplies, you are actively addressing an issue that is on everyone's mind. Of course, an added bonus is that you will be reducing absenteeism.
TITLE INSURANCE
Even if a salary increase might not be possible (or at least a large increase can not be funded), a smaller amount of money coupled with a change in title can make a real difference in an employee's attitude towards their career. Titles have intrinsic value beyond dollars.
According to a report released by the Pew Internet Project, 52 million Americans have used the internet to search for a job. And with internet access at work being the rule and not the exception, it is only logical to accept the probability that some of your employees are in some stage of job transitioning. Those who are determined to leave, will do so no matter what you do (and in such a case, it is probably for the best). But for most employees, satisfaction with their situation and a sense of belonging to a firm where there is a future, can make it much harder to succumb to temptation.
About WallStJobs.com
WallStJobs.com is the premier recruiting source exclusively for financial service professionals and is a member of the Jobosaurus family of uniquely specialized recruiting sites.
