Retention in the Age of Job Hopping

Author:chinatopwin
Source:chinatopwin
Release on:2018-01-06

We're living in an age where employees often say, "Companies are no longer loyal."

Well, neither are employees.

It's a "chicken-or-egg" phenomenon. It can be tough to tell which came first. However, if you're an

employee-centric firm, such a lack of reciprocal commitment can be troubling.

Here are some ways to counter the foot-out-the-door mentality that has become so ubiquitous

among employees when a seemingly better offer comes along:

Broaden how you address and define talent

Abt Associates' chief human resources and chief ethics officer Clarissa Peterson, GPHR, SPHR,

observes that, "When employers are looking for talent, talent is defined too narrowly." Technical

attributes are one thing, but she feels that employers need to take a more holistic approach to job

roles.

She suggests introducing "cultural interview" questions to make sure prospects "don't just fit the

boxes in terms of the functional qualifications - but are also a fit with your culture." Likewise,

interviewees glean aspects of company culture from the questions asked. Ask candidates about

their "aspirations, dreams, what excites them, what they want to do, and what they want to get

from this experience." She says such input about their career path will help them make a decision

that will result in a longer-tenured employee, as well as a more satisfied and engaged one.

Think career lattice - not career ladder

Employees' desire to move through the ranks quickly is a challenge for many employers.

Hindrances often stem from organizational barriers, ranging from the number of job openings at

any given time to the promotional process. Citing a Deloitte University Press study, Peterson

advises that companies jettison the notion of a career ladder, for one of a career lattice. Unlike a

ladder, which has a distinct, upwardly oriented structure, a career lattice can be scaled vertically,

horizontally, and in myriad other ways.

"Sometimes there isn't another rung on the ladder," notes Peterson. "However, in organizations

there are still ways to grow and to develop skills to help you be prepared to climb to the next rung

of the ladder if and when it is available." Examples include doing special projects and lateral

assignments. The first conversation about potential "lattice" opportunities should occur during the

interview process.

Recognize the opportunities hidden in plain sight

Peterson shared the story of a new employee who recently job-hopped - then asked to return to

the original organization. When the employee got to the new role, the job wasn't as it had been

represented. "I didn't have the mentoring that I had here. I didn't feel like I was on a team. I didn't

have relationships, I was just sort of sitting alone in my work station, and I missed that," the

employee said. "And I recognized that I left for what I thought was going to make me happy, fulfill

me, and make me grow. And I recognized, I already had that."

This cautionary tale, points to a gap in communication that is common in many companies. On

the one hand, Peterson notes, before choosing to leave for another firm, employees need to say

to their managers, "I'm interested in learning and growing, and I feel like I'm not doing that." On

the flipside, she says, "The manager always needs to be thinking about employee talent, and

wondering: What else can I provide to help him or her learn and develop?"

Peterson cautions, "I think if those conversations happen often and sooner, then you would have

less people feeling that they had to leave- because sometimes the grass is not greener."

Managers can also learn from their employees, as some of the old management rules, and the

tried-and-true ways of doing things may not work anymore - and need to be re-examined.

If a company is experiencing a problem with rapid turnover, a certified HR professional is a true

business partner who can reach into his or her tool kit and develop processes and tactics to

address these issues at a more strategic level. Peterson advises managers: "We need to make

sure we're keeping our eye on the ball, because every night our talent goes home. Our assets

leave. And they decide the next day if they want to come back and we want them to come back

not just in person - but to come back engaged, connected, and excited, not just sitting in their

seats."