Keeping Talent: A Guide to Mastering Workplace Retention

Across the world, the challenge of retaining top talent has emerged as a major concern for employers in almost every industry. This is also a challenge we’re seeing across the island of Ireland. Employee turnover has previously been at an all-time high rising higher than the lull we viewed in the height of the pandemic in 2020.

When we talk about retaining talent, we often talk about it in tandem with attracting. While the two often go hand in hand the focus for employers should be on retention. Why? Because by fostering a culture of retention you can combat needing to replace key employees and achieve sustained success. At the same time having a team that has longevity and a high length of service shows that you’re a good workplace and that people enjoy working for your organisation. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. However, achieving this is fraught with challenges that range from increasing job mobility to evolving employee expectations. By understanding the challenges and adopting proactive strategies, employers can navigate the complexities of talent retention and strengthen their workforce for the future.

What are the employee retention challenges?

A survey by Ciphr found that 51% of respondents reported retention as their top concern for 2024. In the last 3-4 years the world has changed dramatically with how we work changing right alongside it. It’s so important that employers recognise this change and step up to the challenge. In addition to the changes to the world of work, we’re also seeing salary inflation that is unlike anything else we’ve seen in recent years. Shrinking budgets mean that organisations are investing in their futures in new ways such as new technology, branding and marketing to keep up with competitors and in the market which makes it much harder for organisations to meet the increased salary demands on employees.

Another challenge is the rising trend of ‘job hopping’. In an era marked by heightened mobility and abundant opportunities, employees are more inclined to explore diverse career paths rather than commit to long-term appointments.

How can employers combat the retention challenge?

While the challenges present barriers for employers it’s important to approach with the right mindset.

• Consider your employee value proposition.

The challenge is about people, so your focus needs to be on people. The challenges we mentioned might require a rethink and overhaul of your employee value proposition. This will help you to ensure that you’ve considered all aspects of the employee experience. Doing so will also help you to cultivate a compelling brand that resonates with the values and aspirations of the emerging workforce. To ensure this is embedded in the culture of your company it can’t just be spoken about, it has to be a living breathing thing if you want to retain talent.

• Look to develop your people.

Retaining talent isn’t only about offering a competitive salary or attractive benefits these are great to have but on their own, they aren’t enough. Another way to retain this talent would be investing in employee training programmes, workshops, credited courses and mentoring programmes. It might not be the most conventional way to retain talent however top talent will be looking for continuous development and learning opportunities to grow their skillset. If employees feel that their career aspirations and goals are being supported and are achievable in your organisation, they will be more likely to stay.

• Promote healthy work-life balance.

In a recent article, we discussed the fear of being offline which can be caused by a more toxic work culture. Addressing your work culture and promoting a healthy work-life balance could help you to retain talent. Flexible roles are being sought with 87% of people wanting to work flexibly but only a small percentage of roles are advertised as being flexible. People want the flexibility that allows them to work to live not live to work.

What if you don’t adopt retention strategies?

The repercussions of failing to retain top talent extend beyond immediate productivity losses to long-term implications for innovation and competitiveness. A ‘revolving door’ of employees not only disrupts team dynamics but also erodes knowledge and hampers strategic continuity. The cost of recruiting and training replacements can exert a substantial financial burden on employers, exacerbating the impact of employee turnover. Employers must proactively identify and address factors contributing to attrition, whether it be inadequate career growth opportunities, poor leadership, or cultural misalignment.

In the event of talent loss, navigating the recruitment landscape poses its own set of challenges for employers. The tightening labour market and skill shortages in key sectors have heightened competition for qualified candidates, driving up recruitment costs and increasing ‘time-to-fill’.

In conclusion, workplace retention is a critical imperative for employers seeking to thrive in an era of heightened competition and talent mobility. By addressing the challenges of retention proactively and strategically, employers can fortify their workforce, enhance resilience, and sustain long-term growth in an ever-evolving landscape. Embracing innovative retention practices, aligning with evolving employee expectations, and adapting recruitment strategies to changing market dynamics are essential steps towards building a robust talent system that drives success.

If you have any questions about mastering workplace retention please do not hesitate to get in contact with Emmet Owens, or your usual People team contact.