According to Gallup, self-reported employee turnover risk is at its highest since 2015. Gallup’s survey shows over half of employees intend to look for a new job or are actively doing so. Eagle Hill Consulting's latest report confirms this data, suggesting that employee turnover may rise early next year.
That’s unfortunate for organizations struggling to find top talent, as employee turnover is a costly problem. Conservative estimates indicate that the cost of replacing an employee can range from one-half to two times their annual salary. A 100-person company with an average annual salary of $50,000 equates to turnover and replacement costs of anywhere from $660,000 to $2.6 million per year. Losing key talent has other potential negative side effects:
- Lower employee morale
- Lost productivity
- Missed deadlines
- Diminished employer brand
- Additional resignations
5 Ways Companies Can Reduce Employee Turnover
Fortunately, voluntary employee turnover is preventable. Over half of employees who resign say their manager or company could have done something to prevent them from leaving their jobs. Let’s review five ways companies can improve the employee experience to reduce turnover.
1. Offer Career Development Opportunities
Corporate training is a strategic investment that empowers employees and keeps them engaged. LinkedIn’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report indicates that organizations investing in employee development experience 32% higher employee retention rates and a 28% increase in employee satisfaction. Career development is so important that according to Korn Ferry’s Talent Acquisition Trends survey, 67% of professionals would stay in a job they hated if they were offered advancement and upskilling opportunities. Training and development also have a positive impact on the bottom line. A 2022 Deloitte study found that, on average, a 1% increase in learning and development (L&D) spending correlated to a 0.2% increase in business revenue. That means that every $1 invested per employee resulted in an additional $4.70 in revenue.
There are many ways to improve career development and reduce employee turnover:
- Create a career path framework
- Offer mentorship and coaching programs
- Partner with senior leaders to create a learning culture
- Encourage cross-functional experiences, shadowing and job rotations
- Acknowledge employees who spend time learning new skills
2. Show Employees You Care About Their Well-Being
Employees thrive in environments where they feel appreciated and supported. Yet, employees’ mental well-being is at an all-time low. More than half of U.S. workers are experiencing some level of burnout. When employees burn out, they are disengaged, absent more often and more likely to quiet quit or leave the company.
Here are a few ways organizations can prioritize employee health and wellness:
- Ensure workloads and deadlines are reasonable
- Destigmatize mental health by creating space for open conversations
- Implement wellness programs customized to the needs of employees
- Provide free resources that support employee financial well-being
- Coach leaders to show understanding and compassion during trying times
3. Promote A Healthy Work-Life Balance
Juggling work and home life can be a struggle—especially for those with caregiving responsibilities. When companies support work-life balance, it promotes productivity, improves wellness and reduces employee turnover. It even has another unexpected benefit—increasing diversity. According to data published in Harvard Business Review, when organizations offer family leave, childcare support, and flexible schedules to all workers, the percentage of women and people of color in management rises significantly.
These practices help ensure that you support your workforce’s work-life balance:
- Make time off a priority
- Encourage regular daily breaks
- Offer flexible and remote working
- Ensure managers lead by example
- Focus on output rather than hours worked
- Implement time management training
- Replace unnecessary meetings with asynchronous communications
4. Foster A Positive Work Culture
Research by MIT's Sloan School of Management found that toxic work culture is the leading predictor of attrition. Some elements contributing to toxic cultures include failure to promote DEI, employees feeling disrespected and unethical behavior. The employee turnover resulting from toxic work cultures can be costly. According to one estimate, toxic environments cost U.S. employers almost $50 billion in turnover per year before the Great Resignation.
To create a positive work culture, employers can take specific steps:
- Evaluate current practices: Solicit input from current employees regarding the current state.
- Define your organization’s core values: Ensure the team is aligned on a list of values that reflect your company’s long-term goals.
- Set and communicate objectives: Communicate the corporate goals and objectives to encourage trust, transparency, collaboration and engagement.
Educating managers on practicing supportive and empathetic leadership will create a positive work culture that makes employees want to stay.
5. Reward And Recognize Employees
People want to feel valued for a job well done. That’s why recognition is one of the simplest ways to boost employee retention. In a study by OC Tanner, 79% of employees who quit mentioned a lack of appreciation as a key factor.
There are many ways to reward employees for the work they do:
- Public recognition in front of peers
- A simple thank you email or note
- Peer-to-peer recognition
- Additional paid time off
- A work-from-home day
When implementing any recognition program, consider the needs and preferences of your workforce. In return, employees will reward you with engagement, productivity and loyalty.
Voluntary Employee Turnover Is Preventable
Many sources signal a potential increase in voluntary employee turnover in the coming months. To prevent a loss of top talent, employers should monitor employee sentiment, enhance recognition programs and boost workplace culture. Most importantly, invest in promoting well-being and professional growth. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to be productive, engaged and committed to their work.
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