Afghan Wireless (AWCC) knows how important it is to hold on to the great employees that make the company a success. That’s why AWCC is always working to implement initiatives that help foster employee motivation and engagement and that promote employee retention.
For example, as part of its commitment to employee education and professional development, the company recently announced that all employees attending Kardan University and Rana University will receive increased tuition payment assistance from AWCC, either through fixed monthly tuition rebates or through a percent discount on all tuition fees.
Providing plenty of employee development support and opportunities is just one of the many ways that companies can boost employee retention, increase loyalty and commitment, and encourage top performers to stick around long-term. Other helpful and simple tips to reduce employee turnover include:
-
Be clear about expectations.
Countless studies, articles, and books have made the link between employee satisfaction and clearly defined expectations. When employees aren’t certain about exactly what is expected of them at work, or when expectations keep changing, it’s hard for them to know what they need to do in order to feel successful at their job. Naturally, this uncertainty leads to decreased job satisfaction and thus a greater chance that employees will want to leave the company.
Note that this is not the same as saying that an employee’s job and responsibilities must always remain the same. Rather, a consistent framework should be put in place under which employees can clearly understand the expectations of their particular role.
-
Recognize employee contributions.
People want to know that their work makes a difference and that they are valued by the organization to which they dedicate so much time and effort. Recognizing employee contributions, praising good efforts, and rewarding quality results are the most powerful ways in which a company can encourage employee retention.
Linking pay to performance is the most obvious step companies can take to recognize excellence. However, there are many other ways to show appreciation, such as publicly recognizing an employee’s efforts during a staff meeting or encouraging senior executives to thank the employee personally.
-
Give constructive feedback.
While employees do want to be recognized when they do good work, they also want feedback on areas they could improve. No one likes to feel that they are doing a poor job. Companies should make sure that regular performance reviews are a standard organizational practice, along with more informal chats and feedback sessions with employees. Again, it’s all about employees knowing that employers truly are noticing what they are doing and providing employees with the resources to do the best job they can.
-
Treat employees fairly.
Equitable and just treatment of all employees is a major factor in employee retention. If employees feel that their colleagues are receiving special treatment, it can be a serious blow to their morale and their loyalty to the company. This does not mean that deserving employees should not be given rewards like bonuses or raises. Rather, it means that companies must ensure that these rewards are being distributed in a fair and transparent manner. Organizations must also recognize the ways in which the decision to reward one employee impacts the others.
-
Plan staffing carefully.
Burnout from overwork is one of the leading causes of employee turnover. Whatever industry your company is in, make sure that staffing is adequate for the workload. If employees must consistently work overtime to accomplish their tasks and responsibilities, they will quickly wear out. On the other hand, when their workload is reasonable, employees tend to be more productive and engaged. Additionally, the work tends to be of higher quality.
-
Help employees make friends at work.
Fostering an organizational culture that promotes and facilitates friendships amongst colleagues is an excellent way to reduce employee turnover. Employees are less likely to leave a company if they feel they are working with friends. Companies can cultivate such an environment through workplace social activities, organizational traditions like a regular holiday party, team building initiatives, and mentorship opportunities. This also allows for valuable knowledge-sharing amongst co-workers, another helpful tool in encouraging retention.
-
Give employees room to grow within the organization.
In many cases, when employees leave a company, it’s not that they were tired of the company itself, but rather that they had outgrown their positions. Employees don’t want to do the same thing year after year until they stagnate. They want to challenge themselves, take on new responsibilities, and grow their careers.
Smart employers recognize this and provide pathways for growth within the company so that talented employees seeking new opportunities have somewhere to go that isn’t simply out the door. Especially in larger companies, investing in cross-training and putting serious thought into career progression for different roles is a very important step in reducing employee turnover.