Tips & Tricks for Retaining Staff

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Pippa Piotriowicz (FCG WhiteAvon)

Following on from my article on recruiting staff, it is just as important to focus on how to retain them. More often than not, hiring a new employee has already cost your business, whether through your own time, recruiting agencies or advertisement cost. Ensuring you keep that employee is therefore crucial.

Onboarding Process

A strong onboarding process is essential. This should include, as a minimum, a clear induction  plan and a company handbook. A well-structured onboarding process ensures you have trained, not simply ‘assumed’, the knowledge of your new employee. It also allows you to cover any required Health & Safety training and review Standard Operating Procedures together from the outset.

Your Training

One of the most common reasons for people leaving their job is poor management or communication, particularly within the agricultural industry. What must be remembered when you are hiring employees is, you are stepping into a leadership role and must lead in a professional and appropriate manner.

Many farming businesses are family-run, and this style of leadership does not always come naturally. When reviewing how to retain staff, it is important to reflect on your own management style and consider whether training in leadership, communication, or people management would benefit both you and your team.

New Employee Training

Consider carefully how much training you are willing to invest in a new employee. A lot of people do not want to invest in training for the individual in case they leave. On the contrary to this, what happens if they stay?

If the employee earns £35,000 per annum, over three years this represents a cost of around £100,000. Ensuring value for that investment means enabling the employee to do their job to the best of their ability. In many cases, this requires appropriate training.

It is also standard practice to include clauses in employment contracts stating that if an employee leaves within a certain period after receiving funded training, they must repay the cost, or part of the cost. This can help alleviate concerns around training investment.

Final Thoughts

Successfully filling the vacant role is an achievement, but the work does not stop there. Retaining staff requires ongoing investment, both financially and through your time. By supporting and developing your employees, you set them up for success within your business and hopefully, a long working relationship.

Don’t spend on recruitment and wages without making that investment worthwhile.

To discuss how to better retain staff on your farm, please contact Pippa Piotrowicz at pippa@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.

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