The job market has become increasingly challenging for WA employers, with a record low unemployment rate of 3.5% in February 2023 and high employee turnover rates. To effectively manage their workforce and reduce the costs associated with employee turnover, businesses must have a proactive employee retention strategy in place, especially for key members of the team.

The financial cost of replacing employees is rising and includes both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include advertising, recruitment software subscription fees, and outsourcing to a recruitment agency. Indirect costs include exit interviews, lost productivity, employee burnout, declining engagement, and negative effects on company culture and team morale.

To reduce the significant financial cost of high employee turnover, businesses should create a customised employee retention strategy that addresses the issues as to why employees leave. Factors which may influence an employee’s decision to leave include poor relationships with managers, lack of development opportunities, and inadequate compensation.

An employee retention strategy will not only include competitive salary packages, but work-life balance, positive company culture, flexibility in working hours and locations, training and career development pathways.

Spending on retaining and developing your team can be more cost-effective than spending on replacement employees.