The number one issue (by far) with the majority of small business owners at the moment is…..where have all the staff gone? It was expected (in Queensland) the migration north from the southern states would bring with it an abundance of new talent. However, from speaking with the majority of our clients, this has definitely not been the case. Many workers from the southern states have remained working for their employers from NSW and Victoria…albeit from their homes in Queensland.
With a national unemployment rate at its lowest level in years, employees have been able to pick and choose where they work. Employees have been able to negotiate better positions (and often higher wages) during this time of worker shortages.
So how do you retain and attract your team? Are you an employer of choice? Do you offer conditions or employment packages that are above your competitors? Here are our tips.
1. Take a look under the hood
From a mediocre workplace culture to a lack of career opportunities, there are many reasons why your employees might be jumping ship. Finding out there are deep-seated issues at play is never something a business owner wants to hear – but burying your head in the sand can cost you big time. After all, it’s expensive to go through the hiring process and train up new staff members.
When writing a job ad to attract new staff, do you use the phrase ‘salary commensurate with experience’? This can be a huge red flag to applicants who worry the salary is so low you think it’s better not to mention it. When it comes to retaining employees, making sure salaries are competitive is of course important too, especially for higher-earning staff.
5. It’s not always about the money
If you’re dealing with a young, Generation Z workforce – research has shown, they rate employers who look after mental health and physical wellbeing as the most important factor for being happy in the workplace. Does your business have a mental health workplace strategy? Show your team you’re committed to creating a mentally healthy work environment.
Automation is set to impact up to 46% of the current jobs within Australia by 2030. With this in mind, an employer who encourages their staff the opportunity to develop their skills with ongoing training, will be seen as a desirable place to work.
7. Don’t forget to say thanks
You don’t want to be the boss everyone’s talking about (for the wrong reason). Not only can it lead to a higher turnover of staff, it will also impact workplace morale and productivity. Multiple studies show that employers who are appreciative of their teams and show it have better employee engagement and retention.
Author
Kim Jay
