The costs and stress of replacing staff members puts a lot of strain on a company, so much so that operations can suffer. When turnover rates are especially high, it could even impact overall efficiency and effectiveness of the business. Conversely, when a workplace takes the necessary steps to maintain a consistent workforce with low turnover rates, the benefits are practically boundless. The result is a thriving organization capable of so much potential growth.
Before we dive into what these benefits entail, it’s important to understand the causes behind turnover. They need to be addressed with constructive strategies before their negative effects have a chance to take root. One of the leading causes of elevated turnover is a lack of appreciation. If employees do not feel valued within the organization or suitably compensated, they often become dissatisfied and more likely to look elsewhere.
Another cause is an absence of professional growth opportunities. When a position becomes unchallenging and there are no prospects to move forward, it may prompt someone to search out a new, more rewarding station. Lastly, poor communication can be a major driving factor in turnover. Employees may feel unheard or hindered by inadequate communication. If left unaddressed, it could lead to frustration, disengagement, burnout, and ultimately, resignation.
High turnover, whatever the cause, can be very detrimental in a number of ways. For starters, constantly relying on unexperienced personnel frequently leads to inferior customer experiences. Whether it’s a company’s product or the service is not meeting the standard, customers could be driven straight into the arms of the competition. Even good staff members may become unmotivated as more and more of their colleagues choose to leave.
Of course, there’s also the expenses incurred with regular turnover. From the costs of training the new hires to the incidentals of any mistakes made due to their inexperience, these expenditures can add up quickly. When tallied with the price of talent and expertise walking out the door, turnover often turns out to be immensely impactful on a company’s bottom line.
Understanding these potential negatives can help companies better recognize the benefits of a healthy workplace environment. Primarily, there are the higher levels of engagement and consistent productivity brought on by efforts to combat turnover. When someone leaves, it inevitably disrupts operations as other workers are brought in to fill the role until a replacement is found. This could extend into weeks or months as the new hire gets up to speed. By taking steps to retain experienced workers, such disruption and the associated costs can be avoided.
Another benefit of a low turnover workplace is greater team cohesion and improved employee morale. As loyal, long-term employees stay with a company, they help provide stability for existing staff as well as encouragement for newcomers. It also helps create an enriched company culture. When combined, these benefits help build a workplace packed with perks, which many employees would be happy to stay with for years to come.
Joseph Matalone is Executive Vice President of Swoon Staffing, where he is responsible for the execution of sales strategies with a particular emphasis on Swoon’s enterprise level-global clientele. He has 18 years of experience in the staffing industry. Matalone has a unique perspective on the business, having been Swoon’s first employee. He has helped shape the company’s strategies, culture, and growth in the U.S., Canada and Australia.
