We’ve all read stories about the deepening skills shortages, but business leaders are experiencing its effects first-hand.
The Save Group founder and director, Jane Save, said staff retention, recruitment and human resources (HR) management should be top-of-mind for business leaders as they navigate the post-COVID labour market. Armed with more than 15 years of HR experience working within the manufacturing industry, Ms Save opened The Save Group’s first office in 2021 in Dandenong South, the heart of Victoria’s manufacturing hub.
The Save Group offers a range of HR services and products for more than 30 small to medium businesses on an ‘as you need’ basis, with no lock-in retainers and fees. The company supports businesses through the entire employment cycle, from onboarding, contracts and policies, compliance, training and development, performance management to restructures and terminations.
With the Australian unemployment rate remaining close to its lowest since 1974 and a transformation of the way we work, what can businesses do to keep valuable staff and find the right people for future roles?
Here are Jane Save’s top tips for staff retention:
- Measure what you have as the first step. Whenever we start with a new business, we run a culture survey to ascertain the mood of the workplace. You don’t know what you have or how you can improve unless you measure it.
- Create a nurturing, healthy work culture. Look after your workers’ mental, financial and physical wellbeing. The best way to do this is from the top. Leaders of organisations need to talk about this and create an open dialogue where employees feel they can voice their feelings.
- Lead by example and showcase a work-life balance for your staff. After COVID, this is what people want. Consider policies that enable workers to have a greater sense of control on balancing their work and life.
Ms Save said businesses benefit from having a confidential and trusted business partner to talk through their HR pain points.
“I believe our team brings a fresh perspective to our clients and simplifies HR for SME businesses,” she says.
Ms Save’s aspirations for the coming year include servicing more clients and becoming the local HR business partner of choice for the south-eastern region.
