More workers quit their jobs in December 2015 than in the previous nine years, according to a survey. Some 3.1 million people left their private sector and government positions voluntarily. Discovering why, establishing a clear promotion policy, and understanding the performance cycle can help you decrease your company’s turnover rates.
Employment Exit Reasons
Polled staffers quit previous jobs for these three chief reasons:
- Slim advancement chances
- Insufficient work/life balance
- Money
Researchers asked employees to rate job qualities as acceptable, somewhat acceptable, annoying, considerably annoying, or deal breakers. Four main annoyances were:
- Management has less industry awareness than surveyed subjects and staff.
- Company does not recognize good work.
- Colleagues receive promotions sooner than respondents.
- Employee benefits are subpar.
The five top deal breakers that would prompt resignations were:
- Supervisor does not empower or trust team members.
- Boss expects off-duty staffers to carry out work duties or reply to emails on sick and vacation days.
- Administrators shift the blame when mistakes occur.
- Inflexible work schedule does not accommodate family responsibilities.
- Co-worker relationships are difficult.
Internal Promotion Policy Guidelines
Personnel view advancement as desirable for upgrading power, compensation, and responsibilities. Better job designations raise staffer status, a clear sign of employer esteem for significant and successful work contributions. On the other hand, discord and high resignation rates can develop among peers when colleagues move up before them. Problems might mount if confusing promotion practices appear discriminatory.
Avoid those difficulties by establishing a transparent advancement policy and applying its standards consistently to all jobholders wanting to rise in your ranks. Policy essentials include:
Purpose: Base title upgrades on employees’ expertise and performance instead of favoritism. Otherwise, you may put some staffers in unsuitable positions they are not able to handle effectively. Litigation might arise if overlooked personnel claim that your selection procedures are discriminatory. Workers must demonstrate that you violated the Civil Rights Act’s Title VII, which prohibits businesses from denying promotions on various personal characteristics including age, gender, and race.
Criteria: Set minimum advancement criteria. Inform employees what standards they must meet to merit consideration. For instance, your eligibility period for all promotion types could be continuous company service of two plus years. Or salespeople might need to reach specific quotas first. Motivate your team by moving qualified workers into higher-ranking positions before recruiting outsiders.
Job postings: Display all open positions around your workplace so all suitable candidates will be aware of available advancement opportunities. An expensive 2007 court case set a precedent so staffers can sue their employers if they do not post job opportunities internally.
Candidate assessments: Follow uniform evaluation methods for all workers to prevent the semblance of discrimination or favoritism. All hiring managers should examine performance appraisals, using them to choose top hopefuls. To review all applications consistently, judge all contenders on preset importance of key qualifications. For example, decide whether education or experience is most important. Document how you review each competitor in case policy bias questions arise. Note reasons for all employees’ reassignment acceptances or rejections in their personnel files.
Paperwork: Whenever you promote staffers, proper documentation is key. Download National PEO’s Employee Change Form under Human Resources Forms. Fill in all pertinent details, and keep records in your employment files.
Workforce Performance Cycle
Advancement: Everyone displaying high proficiencies or special talents deserves credit. The most appropriate acknowledgements are job reassignments, which include lateral transfers to equal-level positions and upward promotions. Moving personnel into greater leadership responsibilities temporarily or permanently encourages better performance. They will strive to demonstrate strong skills and worthiness of your trust. Crewmembers get to fulfill their desires to be valuable contributors while you meet your need to maintain a productive team.
Satisfaction: Although surveyed staffers’ deepest desires are to receive recognition, praise, and important status, 60 percent felt that their employers ignored them or took them for granted. Performance declined among bored, complacent, or unhappy personnel who lost interest in their work. Crewmembers resigned to find challenging roles, opportunities to use their talents, and job satisfaction. Advancement or acknowledgement can reduce such turnover.
Positive feedback: Communicating your daily achievement observations is crucial for your crew’s effective job performance. Congratulate staffers for handling difficult clients or commend them for exceptional special projects during regular team meetings. Compliments improve work, which might lead to more recognition, advancement opportunities, and long-term loyalty.