New Year, New Job: How To Overcome The Negative Impacts of Employee Turnover
Most businesses will experience employee turnover, and sometimes this can not only take its toll emotionally as you miss a valuable member of team, but it can have an impact on your business too. The start of a new year can make employees evaluate their life, where they want to be and what they want to be doing. This is why there is no better time than now to invest in your employees.
The Negative Impact of Employee Turnover
Customer Satisfaction
Many of your patients like to visit the same person at your practice each time. The continuity of care can be important to many, and particularly those who are adverse to change. Your employees spend a lot of time with your patients, and they will notice if the faces change frequently. In order to keep up a good rapport and loyalty, many will like to see the same people.
Productivity is decreased
It’s only natural that when you’re an employee down, there is work which will be put on the to-do list longer than normal. This may be because you’re training a new employee, or indeed spending time interviewing prospective ones. Other employees may try to pick up the slack, which will in turn affect their to-do lists.
Morale is decreased
Morale can be dampened when a colleague leaves. They may have been a best friend, or it may make others consider their future. Maybe they didn’t get a promotion, or are left to do twice the workload.
Money, money, money
As well as productivity and the staff morale, it costs to lose a valuable member of staff. Training, interviewing, recruitment websites, the lack of work done due to your lower productivity, it can all have a monetary impact.
How To Overcome The Negative Impacts of Employee Turnover
Long Term Planning
While we understand that employing an optometrist or optician can be a lengthy process, do not fall into the trap of employing somebody out of desperation. Instead, look at the qualities of those who have worked at your practice for a long time. What personality traits do they have? What is it about their job they like? Be sure to ask for future ambitions in the job interview. Don’t be afraid to use locums in the meantime – we have a Find A Locum service here.
Be Competitive
If you had the choice between two jobs: one that pays more, with benefits such as private health care and a good pension, or one with less pay and no benefits, which would you choose? Take time to evaluate why your employees are leaving. Is it related to annual leave, pay or the hours they work? We know that as an independent it can feel hard to compete, but it in the long run it may save you money and boost morale as staff feel appreciated.
Cross Training
And no, we don’t mean going on the cross trainer! When you go to staff training, take all your staff along. That way, you will have employees that are able to help pick up some of the slack while you find a good new recruit. SightCare has a training provider here, if you are looking to train your staff.
How To Decrease Employee Turnover
Check In
Hold regular meetings with your staff to check in on their progress and how they are feeling. Perhaps they want to take on more responsibilities, perhaps they want to take on less. Try not to be defensive and instead show that you value their opinion (whether you agree or not!).
Evaluate Contracts
When was the last time you gave an employee an extra day of annual leave? Does their pay reflect their job responsibilities? Have you added more tasks such as social media to their role? It may be time to upgrade the contract.
Invest
Invest not only time, but in training. Prevent boredom by allowing them to train in new areas. Your staff are the heart of your practice after all!
