Why Retaining Top Talent is More Difficult Than Ever

by May 1, 2024

Finding and keeping great employees can be tough for companies all over. With changes in employee expectations, advancements in technology, and shifts in the job market, it’s a real challenge.

In 2019, a whopping 42 million U.S. workers alone said “so long” to their jobs voluntarily. Yep, you read that right – 42 million! It’s a staggering number that highlights the magnitude of the challenge companies face in retaining their best and brightest.

While hiring the right people is essential, keeping them around is equally important. Yet, despite this recognition, retaining talent remains a significant hurdle for many organizations. Why? 

Factors such as low pay and poor management contribute to employee turnover. And that’s not all. A study by MIT Sloan found that employees are over 10 times more likely to leave due to work environment issues than because of compensation. That’s a big eye-opener, isn’t it?

So, why is retaining top talent more difficult than ever?

Many leaders struggle to foster a positive workplace culture. Time constraints and lack of awareness about workplace dynamics hinder their efforts to build strong relationships and address toxic behaviors.

A few years ago, we worked with an organization that manufactures private jets and the Senior HR Business Partner saw high turnover from newer employees due to an ongoing culture of hazing and bullying. 

In partnership with the Senior HR Business Partner, we traveled to all worksites across the U.S to deliver training on what bullying and hazing is, the damage it cause, and how to speak up against it. 

She was able to discuss the policy and consequences if bullying or hazing was reported. Employee turnover decreased immediately. Employees now understood what bullying was and the consequences that would follow if they engaged in it. Thanks to their Senior HR Business Partner for taking action!

 

Now, what can you do?

Would you want to risk losing your best people and starting over, or would you roll up your sleeves and fix things?

We understand that everyone is busy, but simply checking in with your people can help you gauge how they’re doing at their jobs, what concerns they may have, or what dynamics are at play within your team.

Moreover, conducting a climate assessment is an excellent initial step. It enables us to gain a clear understanding of what’s happening in your organization so that we can collaborate with you to address any issues.

We also offer you one of Catherine’s courses, Handling Workplace Bullying for free. Check it out now!  

It’s crucial for organizations to focus on retaining well-performing employees and tackle potential issues before they escalate into more serious problems. Keep your talents happy within your organization. That means making sure they love their job, enjoy the work environment, and have chances to grow and learn.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming webinar on “Managing Incivility and Conflict in Political Discussions at Work,” set for June 5th at 10 am PST. Save your spot now!

 

Written by: Cleo Tubon and Jennifer Areola

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

You Have It All Wrong: 4 Ways Employers Can Successfully Influence Well-Being

Did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon? In other words, while leaders and HR tend to classify burnout as a personal failing, as evidenced in the way they tackle it with offerings of gym memberships and...

5 Tips You Haven’t Seen for Engaging Hybrid And Remote Workers

According to Forbes, one in five workers is working remotely and 98% of workers want to work remotely at least some of the time. Yet, despite the flexibility that hybrid and remote work offer, engagement is a major challenge. In fact, the 2023 State of Remote Work...

Measuring Onboarding Effectiveness: Key Metrics for Success

Having an employee orientation program is a great start. It usually involves getting paperwork signed, introducing new hires around the office, and providing some initial training. But are you truly onboarding your employees? Effective onboarding is more than just a...

Measuring Recruiting and Hiring Success: Key Metrics to Track

In the past, recruiting was often a "spray and pray" approach—posting job openings everywhere and hoping the right candidate would find their way to us, even faxing over their resumes. Thankfully, recruiting today is far more strategic, thanks to the internet and...

HR Ninja-ing: 9 ways to impact culture with $0 budget

Workplace culture is an uphill battle when the budget is tight or, worse, nonexistent. You’re expected to create a thriving, engaged workforce, but the reality is harsh: Gallup reports that only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged at work. Meanwhile, disengaged...

It’s Labor Day: Are you celebrating your workers or burning them out?

This last Labor Day should have been a day of rest—a chance for employees to recharge and reflect on the contributions they’ve made to their organizations. But for many workers, the reality was likely far from relaxing. A 2023 Gallup survey shows that only 32% of U.S....

Case Study: HR’s Pleas Are Heard, Resulting in Positive Culture Change

HR professionals often find themselves fighting an uphill battle to create a positive and safe workplace. Not to rub it in, but we thought we’d share a case study of what could be when the opposite occurs. Read on and see what happens when leadership listens to HR, as...

FREE WEBINAR: Getting Leadership to Listen to HR

Do you ever feel like you're pouring your heart into your work, only to have it go unnoticed?  As an HR professional, you’re tasked with and excited about creating a positive workplace, solving complex issues, creating and implementing strategies, and driving...

Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind: Employee Disengagement in Remote Work (And 5 Strategies to Overcome it)

Remote work is here to stay and has completely changed how we do our jobs. While offering the flexibility and convenience that many employees love, it also brings its challenges. One of the biggest could be employee disengagement.  Since this is a hot topic online, we...

Make a Positive Impact & Earn $ With Civility Partners

You read our blog every week because you care about an inclusive work environment for all individuals at all levels. Either you consult in a similar space, or want to have an impact on your own workplace. For the past 15 years, Civility Partners has been on a mission...