October 1999

Today’s smart boss is doing everything he/she can to keep good employees. Employee retention has become such a concern that the American Management Association (AMA) recently asked 352 senior HR executives what their companies are doing to try and keep employees longer.

Three out of four said their companies send key employees to conferences and seminars as a perk to improve longevity, 66% offer tuition reimbursement or some other form of financial support for employees pursuing advanced degrees or managerial training.

Half of the companies provide performance-based pay, flexible work arrangements and interpersonal skills or technical training.

Under 20% said their companies offer physical fitness benefits, extended parental leave, stock grants/ESOP’s, job rotation, financial planning, child care, or legal assistance.

Recent research done by Kimberly-Clark seems to indicate corporate retention efforts are missing the mark. Employees’ biggest gripe, according to the paper makers, are dirty restrooms although a third want on-site day care and 10% a workplace fitness center.

A Robert Half survey also done this year confirms that and Omnia’s belief that workplace incompatibility causes at least half of all unwanted turnover: Today’s worker rates work environment as the most important factor in employee satisfaction.