A Proven Way to Reduce Employee Turnover

We all know how bad turnover is in the professional cleaning industry. At times, it has been reported as high as 300 percent. This means one job held by one worker may need to be replaced three times during the course of the year.

This causes many problems for contractors. Quality control can start slipping, and many contractors do not have the time to keep training and retraining workers.

So, what can we do about this?

Recently, a study was conducted at an Indian manufacturing center. The 2,000 front line workers were all told they would be getting a raise in their next paycheck. However, when their paychecks arrived, there was considerable disappointment. The pay raise was far smaller than anyone anticipated.

A few months later, the company administered an employee satisfaction survey to half the workers. According to the researchers, this is what they uncovered:

  • Those that were given the survey and provided feedback, were more likely to stay on the job. These workers also viewed the survey as an opportunity to express their disappointment with the recent wage increase.
  • Those that were not given the survey – and had no formal way of providing feedback to the employer – were far more likely to quit or take time off from work.

The researchers were not sure why these workers took time off from work. It was assumed they did it to express their disappointment with the raise or to look for another job.

However, what the researchers did conclude, and what they believed was the fundamental difference between the two groups, was that when workers are given a chance to provide feedback, they are more likely to stay on the job.

Further, many of these workers took the next step, and tried to work with the employer to improve worker satisfaction. These workers developed a closer connection to their jobs and their employers.  Those that were not offered the survey felt little if any connection to their job or the employer, and in time, off they went.

What this tells contractors is the following:

· Keep in touch with workers

· Welcome feedback

· Send out employee satisfaction surveys at least once per year.

The result is more than likely a happier, more productive staff that stays on the job.

Ron Segura has over 45 years of experience in all segments of the professional cleaning industry including ten years as Manager of Janitorial Operations for Walt Disney Pictures and Television. To contact him, call 650-315-8933.