How to Beat a “Quitting Economy”

​August 3, 2017 | Sabrina Clay, CCWP
 
I’ve recently noticed an influx of posts and articles dedicated to the “quitting economy” and the wane of employee loyalty. But with all the perks, free snacks, nap pods, and bring-your-dog-to-work day’s out there, how did this occur? Is employee satisfaction at an all-time low? 
 
Employee satisfaction describes whether employees are happy, content and fulfilled by the work they are doing. It is also a factor in their fulfillment and achievement of personal goals.  
 
The way I see it, employment is much like dating. In the beginning of the relationship you are on your best behavior. Over time, the shine can become lackluster. However, just as in any relationship it is important that people feel wanted, needed, and respected.  Maya Angelou said it best: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. 
 
Here are 3 easy techniques to gain and maintain loyalty in your company:
 
It starts with your recruiting processes. 
Instead of simply filling positions, take a proactive approach, so you’re not just recruiting but retaining your employees. In addition to learning about their professional background, seek to understand their goals, and what they want out of the job and their employer.
 
Embrace your company culture.
Think about how you described your company to your candidate during the interview process.  Do you live by those beliefs, or were they just words?  The goal with culture is to create a workplace that provides a positive direction for the company and its employees. It’s hiring people who have the same values and behaviors. It can easily become your brand, so be true to your culture.
 
Develop trust. 
We all need to trust our employees, but what about their trust in us? While developing trust is challenging work, model the behavior you seek: be honest (even when it’s uncomfortable to do so), be consistent and become accountable. Remember, trust is a two-way street. Employees want to know that their employer has their back.
 
The biggest secret is to give loyalty first. If you want employees to go above and beyond for you, you must go above and beyond for them. The best leaders understand if they fight for their team, the team will fight for them in return. Lest we forget, the employee is the most important asset of your organization.

---