Strategies for Human Resources

SHR Newsletters: On Hiring

SHR Insights comes to you monthly with nuggets of useful information, a short article on a critical issue, or important news you need. Sign up here to receive the SHR newsletter via email!

Today's Nugget:
The Veterans Benefit Improvement Act, signed in December 2004, requires notice to all employees. DOL has provided a poster you can download free. See the announcement and poster link at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20050338.htm

As the economy improves -- and metro area DC benefits from additional defense and security spending -- hiring has become more difficult and more expensive. Yet many organizations have not really made retention of current employees a priority.

Retention begins at the individual manager level, since most people leave because of issues with their supervisor; but it must be seen as vital throughout management. Common estimates of the cost of replacing one exempt employee range from 1 to 2 times salary. A senior professional or someone with security clearances or a manager easily doubles that cost.

Ask yourself if you can answer "yes" to these statements:

We hire with retention in mind.
We have an effective orientation program that focuses on our goals and plans as well as work unit goals.
We have trained all managers on effective hiring, coaching, communications skills, and performance management practices.
Our salaries and benefits are competitive for our markets.

You can make real progress in retaining employees with some simple steps. First, figure out how you are currently doing and compare that to your past records. Then make it a management priority, starting at the top. And track your results.

For additional ideas on improving retention, see

http://www.shrinsight.com/publications/retention.php

Two other, longer articles with ideas and checklists to help you improve retention are:

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