Tips for Retaining Good Workers

“Candidate shortage” may be the new “unprecedented times”. Whether you run a labour hire business or you’re just watching your favourite restaurants close their doors, the issue is impacting every Australian.

If you own a business or manage a team of people, staying afloat through the candidate shortage might feel like mission impossible. Shifting your mindset from reactive to proactive can make all the difference to the future of your organization.

If you’ve been losing staff, or you’re worried about it happening, we’ve compiled a few pieces of advice we think can make a big difference in your staff retention.

Take the Time to Understand Their Needs and Aspirations

It’s easy to label this issue as a Millennial and Gen Z need, but the truth is that no matter the predominant generation in your team, today’s employees will be more motivated to perform when they feel seen. Everyone has different ambitions for their lives, and it’s important that your staff see your company as an enabler of those goals. A staff member that sees themselves as replaceable – a mere cog in the machine – might more quickly look to greener pastures.

Make time to connect with every staff member and demonstrate a genuine interest in their happiness and wellbeing. Maybe your team works on a hybrid or fully remote model; are there opportunities to make your people feel a sense of community?

For those running staffing agencies, this is even more crucial. Think about what you can do to make your members feel part of your world? If a member is picking up shifts through multiple agencies, what can you do to create positive associations with yours?

Invest in Software That Makes Their Work Life Easier

We’re a little biased but if you can provide your team with great software solutions that make their jobs easier, they’ll feel valued.

Our clients are delighting their candidates with a user-friendly mobile recruitment and onboarding experience that sets the right tone. When members see how easy it is to get set up with these agencies, they have peace of mind that booking shifts and getting paid for their work will be just as simple. Having a powerful shift scheduling software in place helps our users outpace the competition and ensure their workforce are booking all the shifts they want to work. The one silver lining of a candidate shortage is that there is plenty of work for the workers you have. If you can get your members to prioritize your clients over the competition, you’ve won the war.

In any business, good technology can motivate your team. It can be hard for staff members to see a future in your organization if the business is stuck in the past. Worse even – lack of investment into certain departments can send a message that their role doesn’t matter.

Take the time to listen to the needs of your team, and if they’re excited about a new tool that will improve their workflow, don’t let the thought of extra costs stop you from moving your business forward. Tech may seem expensive at first glance, but if you’re multiplying the output from your team, that investment is worth its weight in gold. Never forget that churning staff is more expensive in the long run.

Think Outside the Box for Employee Benefits

If there’s something every business can learn from the tech companies, it’s that traditional corporate benefits are old news.

The world is changing, the cost of living is increasing, and your workforce might need more individualized benefits to choose your business in the long run. Extended parental leave or on-site childcare might be a lifesaver to some, while others might benefit more from a prorated vehicle benefits. You can’t do it all, but doing your homework on what your people value and need can be the difference between a loyal employee and a disenfranchised one.

When you’re in the business of people, it’s important to center your business decisions around the team that fuels your success. Consider the following: if you were the lowest paid staff member in your team, are there processes in place for them to see a future with you? Or, would you see your role as a stepping stone on the way to something better? As a leader, it’s easy to feel invested in the goals of a company. When today’s workers are taking ownership of their careers, it’s more important than ever to keep their attention through the right motivators.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or increasingly number to the issue of candidate shortage, it’s important to take a close look at your organization every once in a while to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. Times like these may push us to focus on sales and growth, but remember that your company is only ever as good as its people. Hang on to the good ones.

We would love to know what unique benefits you’re considering for your staff! What impact might it make to your business and your team if you implemented dedicated staffing agency software? Let us know in the comments!