Tips on Improving Retention in Manufacturing

In the manufacturing industry, employee turnover can be high. But there’s value in long-term hires. They know the ins and outs of the company, they’re seasoned experts, so their work is high-quality and efficient. Plus, they can help train new employees, and they’re a smart choice for internal promotion when you’re looking for supervisors and managers. So what steps can you take to retain your manufacturing employees?

Employee retention strategies

You can take steps to add to job satisfaction and encourage your workers to stick around. Just follow these steps:

• Set realistic expectations. It’s always a good idea to help your employees help you. In other words, explain to them what you expect and how to do a good job. Keep your standards at a level that’s possible to achieve for each employee. This way, they’ll be more likely to stick to it. You can always raise the bar when they’re up for a challenge.
• Ask what they need. Anonymous employee surveys give workers a chance to provide feedback on what’s working and what could be adjusted. Assure employees that their answers are completely confidential. Then, take them seriously and make changes based on survey results.
• Recognize and reward a job well done. Set up a reward program for employees who achieve set standards. Recognize hard workers by saying thanks in person or by email. And share their achievements in a company newsletter, intranet or bulletin board.
• Require breaks and vacations. Employees who are overworked rarely stick around. Require your workers to take regular breaks during their shifts, and use their vacation time for much-needed rest and relaxation.
• Provide competitive pay and benefits. This is key to employee loyalty and longevity. Take good care of your workers, and give them the benefits they need for good health and wellness. This includes medical, dental, vision, life and mental health coverage; 401(k), profit sharing and more.

Need suggestions?

Check with your recruiter for ways to retain your manufacturing employees. One smart step is to get the right candidates in place, and your recruiter can also help with this.

If you’re in search of a recruiter, check out Inter-connect. We specialize in the placement of qualified manufacturing candidates, and much more. To learn about our available staffing services, contact us today!