65% of employees feel dissatisfied in their current roles.
Half of disengaged employees will look for a new job.
Some Studies predict that every time a business replaces a salaried employee, it costs 6 to 9 months’ salary on average.
The statistics speak for themselves. The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on the American workforce well beyond the economic downtown. This past year has been the first time most employees have worked from home. Add the mental and emotional stress of a pandemic. As well as the burden of assuming childcare duties or caring for sick family members. And you have yourself a challenging work environment. But there’s hope…
There’s a lot employers can do to boost employee retention and hire (yes, hire) during these times. From virtual small talk to new employee welcome gifts, here are 6 small acts that make all the difference. Because 2021 has got to be better than 2020.
1. Prioritize Face-Time
Whether it’s a daily one-on-one with direct reports, a weekly team meeting to kick off Monday or a department-wide happy hour every Thursday, it’s so important to ritualize video check-ins with employees. Not only do these meetings create stability and accountability, but they also help nurture connections and drive engagement, increasing employee retention.
2. Create Fun Activities
If you were to ask your employees what they miss most, it’s socializing! How do you get this back… and virtually? Have a weekly meeting with your team with a game or activity. A few ideas: Two Truths & A Lie, Describe Your Mood in One Word or Daily Jeopardy. Make it even sweeter with cool swag for the winners like customizable wireless speakers. Obviously, to play “We Are the Champions.”
3. Allow for Small Talk
Hmmmm… how exactly? Aren’t we remote? Make sure to ask employees about how they’re feeling or how their weekends went by carving out 2 minutes out of every meeting. Take this to the next level by creating Slack Channels with labels like “Weekend Rehash,” “Watercooler Talk'' or “Run Club.” Specialized channels like these let employees know it’s okay to talk about interests outside of work.
4. Celebrate Employee Wins
When you aren’t running into coworkers in the kitchen or elevator, it’s easy to forget to congratulate them on a job well done. Finding time to celebrate can be as easy as creating a Slack “Kudos” channel, taking 2-minutes during the All-Hands for employee shout-outs or even rewarding top performers with small prizes like DoorDash credits or these customizable virtual Happy Hour kits.
5. Invest in Learning & Development
Pandemic or not, investing in an employee’s growth (outside of his or her contributions to the company) is one of the easiest ways to boost employee retention. Make learning a company-wide pursuit by hosting virtual “Lunch and Learns” or giving employees one day off every month to dedicate toward growth.
6. Welcome New Hires
If you’re lucky enough to be hiring during this period, don’t take it for granted. While company culture may look a little different, there’s a myriad of ways to make a big, bold impression for those new to the team. A welcome email with a short bio can work wonders, especially when sent to the whole company. And never underestimate the power of swag. Customizable work-from-home gifts— coffee mugs to charging stations —make for the perfect new employee welcome gifts.
You’d be surprised how much employee retention will soar when these strategies are employed. And the best part? They’re really easy to implement. Especially when it comes to ordering swag. We’ll handle all the details, from sourcing to shipping. Reach out to one of our account managers to get started today.
