A job for life? Ways to encourage staff loyalty

By KMC Human Resources

14 Dec 2016

2017 will soon be upon us. A new year is often a time when people take stock and make fresh starts, which can include looking for alternative employment. This can be very costly for businesses so it is also a good time for companies to take stock and review their employment practices.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

Along with the way people use service providers such as banks, insurers and even supermarkets, it seems that the concept of staying ‘loyal’ to an employer is becoming a thing of the past. According to the Association of Accounting Technicians people nowadays have, on average, around 6 jobs throughout their working life.

Although there are benefits to both employers and employees of gaining rounded experience through working for different companies, once a company gets a good employee they will want to hold onto them. After all the cost and time involved in recruiting, along with the disruption caused to the business when an employee leaves, can run into the thousands.

Here are some tips on how to encourage staff loyalty in your business.

Strive to be the best employer you can be

Loyalty cannot be gained overnight and employers need to show there are mutual benefits from having long-term relationships with their workforce. If you show you are keen to develop better ways of working, you are showing a real commitment to both your company and your employees. One thing you could look to do is undertake an annual staff survey whereby you provide the opportunity for employees to feed back on what is and isn’t working in the company whilst giving them a platform to suggest ideas for improvement. A word of warning – if you are going to do this, make sure you are wholly committed to the idea. Having staff take the time to complete a questionnaire and then ignoring all the feedback garnered will most likely result in demotivation.

Get to the heart of the issues

If people leave the company, make sure you take the time to understand exactly why. Whilst sometimes the reason will be down to personal circumstances, there will almost always be an underlying desire for something they are not getting from their current role. Always invite a departing employee to attend an exit interview. If you do this effectively, over time you may start to see a pattern emerging. Should this be the case, be sure to take a long hard look at the issues that come to the fore and have the courage to take the relevant action.

Beef up your benefits

Although research shows that money isn’t necessarily the most important factor when trying to retain staff, you might be surprised how much influence a strong benefits package can have. Don’t just put together a benefits package based on what is easiest or the most cost effective. Make the effort to find out what people want and will benefit from. For example, health insurance can provide real peace of mind to people and may in fact be ‘valued’ far more than its actual monetary cost. Don’t forget to research the competition; people talk and if one member of staff leaves because they’ve been offered a strong package elsewhere, others may follow. For more help and advice on any of the above, or to speak to us about any aspect of HR or employee management, please get in touch.

Latest news

1

Preston frozen dough brand has new celebrity shareholders Ant and Dec and Amy and Chris Cheadle

Preston frozen dough brand has new celebrity shareholders

18 Jul 2025

2

Wellbeing focused co-working space with its own pub in Burnley gets ready for launch Dave Scholes and Malcolm Ireland

Wellbeing focused co-working space with its own pub in Burnley gets ready for launch

18 Jul 2025

3

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed Flying Combat Air Demonstrator

UK's pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is revealed

17 Jul 2025

4

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company The Printed Cup Company

A fresh brew for The Printed Cup Company

17 Jul 2025

5

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International Joe Diston

Joe Diston from Beever and Struthers appointed to new Global IFRS leader for HLB International

17 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin