Article provided in collaboration with Bob Rouse, chief program officer at TCIA.
People are changing jobs more now than ever before. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, did you know the average worker stays with a company for less than five years? When you hire an employee who becomes a true asset to your HDD crew, you don’t want them to leave after a year or two. As a business owner, there are ways to keep your HDD employees for the long haul. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Create a company handbook
A company handbook is an essential resource for a business to cover all its bases. The document should include a mission statement, job descriptions, employee benefits and compensation, policies and procedures, disciplinary actions, performance reviews and growth plans. Creating a handbook may seem daunting, but it will provide your employees with clear expectations and information.
2. Help emloyees grow and learn
A top reason employees say they leave a job is because they didn’t have an opportunity to grow within the company. A growth plan in the company handbook should include the requirements of a promotion, training opportunities and the benefits that come with the promotion. Providing training is a win for the company and the employee.
3. Tell employees how they’re doing
Employees want feedback. How are they performing? What are they doing well — and how could they improve? Regular evaluations allow employers to keep an open dialogue with employees about their work performance. Set monthly or quarterly evaluations, stick to the schedule and make them a priority. This is another way to help employees feel valued.
4. Be a good boss
Easier said than done. Employees appreciate and respect a strong leader. Be a good communicator, keep your word and lead by example. Don’t expect them to trust you just because you’re the boss — earn it.
5. Make safety a priority
In the HDD industry, it’s critical to have your crews follow safety best practices. Create a safety program to let your employees know their well-being is a priority