Your best employees are performing at a high level and all is well. Then suddenly, they start to leave. One star employee leaving for greener pastures isn’t necessarily alarming, but when others start to flee, it should be a wake-up call. Where’s everyone going? And why? Here are five reasons you’re losing your best employees.
They’re burnt out
Your best employees are often “rewarded” with more work and responsibilities. After all, they’ve proven they can handle it, right? And then suddenly they’re exhausted and overworked. Instead of feeling like rock stars, they feel unappreciated and undervalued. Surprise—they’re miserable. Meet with all your employees regularly to check in. Rotate duties and assignments so that no one person is ever carrying the load for the whole team.
They’re poorly equipped
Empower your team with the right information, tools, and resources they need to get the job done. If you’re expecting them to perform with outdated equipment and inadequate training, they’re going to get frustrated, and performance will lag. If you’re worried about your budget, meet with your team and find out which resources are most crucial.
You’re not paying enough
Higher salaries and better benefits might not seem like they’re within your budget, but compensating your employees is a lot more cost-effective than spending that money on recruiting, hiring, and training. Finding new employees is a costly process, and taking care of your best employees is well worth it. Be proactive and pay your team what’s competitive in your industry and geographic location. Award bonuses when you can. If you stay on top of the compensation, you’ll stop losing your best employees and the most talented jobseekers will be begging to work for you.
They’re not inspired
Money is one thing, intangibles like inspiration and values are another. When you meet with your employees, find out what motivates them. They might not feel like they’re making a difference or that their job doesn’t align with their values. Create an environment that energizes and inspires them. The physical space should be clean and inviting and you should constantly be making an effort to communicate your vision and the goals of the organization.
There’s no future
If they don’t see a future with your company, they won’t be motivated to stick around and they’ll look for other opportunities elsewhere. Or maybe you haven’t provided them with professional development. They’re not learning and they’re not being challenged, so why bother? When you invest in their careers and offer opportunities for growth, they’ll know that you have faith in them and you see their potential.
When you notice you’re losing your best employees, pay attention. Hold exit interviews and learn as much as you can about their reasons for seeking new employment—it’s always more than a coworker who doesn’t wear deodorant. Then, be responsive. Higher salaries might not be in your budget, but making your employees feel appreciated, heard, and inspired probably is. For more tips to avoid losing your best employees, check out our website at https://www.chiefofstaffkc.com.
Blog written by Erin Greenhalgh