Retention: Keep 'em Once You've Got 'em

It costs more to hire a new employee than to hang on to a someone who is on the job and performing. Sometimes you can't find anyone else and the only option is to run shorthanded. Years ago a peer calculated that it cost about $2,000 to replace an employee in mid-season. She attempted to factor in lost productivity, the recruiting process, sourcing, training and waiting to get the new person up to speed while the operation is running at full tilt. Anyone have any thoughts on what that number might be today?

We think it starts with hiring. You know it's possible to lose a good hire before they even show up. Keep in touch after the offer is accepted, offer help with travel plans, provide good information to get them ready for the job and the lifestyle. SET THE TONE as soon as you can and reinforce it all the way through the season. Hiring is only the beginning.

The folks at About.com have collected some good thoughts on retention. Among them:

• Make expectations clear.
• Quality of supervision is key - even more so in a seasonal operation
• Ability of the staff to speak their mind

Read on at About.com