Employment 101: Are You About to Lose a Good Employee?

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 By Koleen Singerline

As employers look to weather the recovery with their staff intact, their employees might be looking to find new positions. According to two recent surveys, over one-third of the workforce is searching for different job opportunities. A Mercer LLC study shows that 32% of employees are “seriously considering leaving their jobs” while a CareerBuilder survey states that 31% of professionals are “likely to look for another position.”

This alarming figure is attributed to employee burnout. With resources stretched thin, employers have asked their staff to manage more projects. As employees operate at maximum capacity, they feel overworked and underappreciated.

Here are five warning signs that employers are burning out their employees:

1. Overtime – If you notice that you’re spending more money on overtime, your team may be working too many hours. You might be running the risk of wearing out your players.

2. Lower Quality of Work – Check to see if the quality of your staff’s work has gone down. If your employees have too many projects on their plate, they may not have time and energy to give their full attention to each project. Sloppy costs more.

3. Absenteeism – Look at your employee records. If you notice an increase in absences, your staff may be feeling sick from the stress of being overworked. Sporadic disappearances may mean your team members are interviewing for other positions or just need relief. A healthy staff is a productive staff.
4. Turnover – If you observe an increase in employee turnover, you may be working your team too hard. While it’s normal that certain employees will leave your company to pursue other opportunities, a revolving door indicates a problem. The resources invested in recruiting and training new employees can be better used elsewhere. Tenure always helps your efficiency.
5. Mood – Did you see that the cheerful, energetic go-to guy at the company became grouchy and snappy? A happy team that works together boosts productivity. It’s important that your workforce’s morale is in high-drive. This is a clear sign you simply can’t afford to ignore. A good attitude is a pre-cursor to success.

As a manager, what can you do to stem the tide of employee loss? Employee engagement initiatives are important during this economic recovery phase. If employers dedicate time to keep staff members committed and passionate, it will positively impact productivity. Here are some little things you can do that might make a big difference:

• Express your gratitude to employees for their hard work. A simple thank you can go a long way.

• Give small rewards: look for ways to give your employees a break. If you can close the office a few hours early the day before a holiday or tell an employee that has stayed late to work on a project to come in a few hours late the next morning, you will send your employees a clear signal that you are thinking of there are willing to give back in return for their efforts.

• Communicate: to your employees the results of their efforts. Share information such as Company progress reports and customer satisfaction responses that demonstrate the hard work is paying off and making a difference.
• Celebrate small victories and milestones: Don’t wait for an annual report or employee evaluation to celebrate success. Set weekly goals and celebrate when the team reaches them.