Manufacturing Hiring and Retention: Five Factors that Matter Most
Posted February 18th, 2013
When it comes to filling manufacturing jobs, it’s hard enough to hire additional employees, let alone replace good ones who leave. In fact, a recent CBNC news story reported on plant after plant being unable to fill openings, leaving shifts short-staffed and managers frustrated. If hiring and retention are priorities for your manufacturing operation, consider improvements in these five key areas.
1) Compensation – Money is not everything, but it is definitely something, and a big something at that. Use tools like salary.com to be sure you’re offering competitive pay, and remember that if your talent pool is limited, you are going to have to pay more. Benefits are also important – be as generous as possible, and if budgets are limited, consider customized packages that allow employees to pick and choose which perks are most important to them.
2) Vision – Employee satisfaction is often tied to how they feel about the work they are doing. The sense of accomplishment that comes from working for an organization with a clear mission and meaningful goals will help attract and retain your best workers.
3) Safety – Putting profits ahead of people will have current employees scrambling for the exits – and no one in line outside to replace them. In the digital age, stories of endangerment, maltreatment or harassment travel fast and far, whether through the news media or social networks. Safeguard your reputation by safeguarding your employees.
4) Opportunity – A key reason why employees, especially young ones and/or superstars, leave is because they feel like they have no future at the company. You can attract and retain your best talent by providing encouragement and support of continuing education, plus a clear path for advancement.
5) Atmosphere – Conflicts between coworkers or between employees and management are another common reason why good employees move on. Management must possess (or be trained to have) solid people skills that promote mutual respect and a healthy work environment.
Even if your manufacturing operation excels in all these areas, the improving economy can make it tougher to find skilled, reliable employees. The Bay Area, with its large collection of innovative, technologically advanced companies creating the next generation of products, poses distinct hiring challenges for the manufacturing industry. With over 11 years of expertise, Bayside Solutions understands the complexities of this unique market and how to deliver the most qualified professionals for the right technical environment. Contact us today to learn more.
