The demand for long-term care workers in the United States is continuously growing with the aging population. Unfortunately, the senior living industry is facing high turnover rates.
Beyond the cost of having to continually replace employees, high turnover negatively impacts resident satisfaction. More than most industries, a senior living facility’s retention directly impacts customer relations. If residents are seeing their favorite staff members rotate out of the company – they may reconsider their living situation. Here are some steps you should take to retain your staff members.
Create a people-centric culture
Knowing that the employees’ work is valued is a critical component of retention. A positive culture starts from the top. If the work environment isn’t allowing for growth or support, they may become open to exploring new opportunities.
The goal should be to become an environment where nobody wants to leave. In fact, with an industry like senior living, many workers come in with the prioritization of people over the actual duties themself. If you can find a way to create that positive atmosphere, it’s given that people will be more reluctant to leave.
Offer growth opportunities
Most people aren’t satisfied with stagnancy for too long. If your goal is to grow as a company, promoting and creating new roles with your current staff is the way to go. Even without a promotion, ongoing professional development is a pillar of staff retention. These include training programs, coaching workshops and team-building opportunities. Caring for the elderly, although rewarding, can be tough, so take some time to grow outside of that environment.
Tip: Consider starting employee recognition programs to encourage going above and beyond!
Focus in on your hiring process
Although this is an obvious one, many don’t dedicate the necessary time to finding the best talent. Times of desperation can result in a misfire that’ll cost your organization thousands. No, not every bad hire is preventable. Sometimes people soar through the interview process with flying colors; it can be months before you realize you’ve made a mistake. Some people are fantastic interviewers. Some people are likable, but don’t have the work ethic. Many have the qualifications, but not the personality.
Whatever it is, it can usually be prevented with thoughtful hiring. Don’t skip through steps in the process to make it to the finish line. Most companies, truth be told, do not check references. Some don’t even perform the standard background check. Do them. If you feel like you don’t have the time or manpower to conduct these searches, you can hire a firm to jump those hurdles for you.
Offer flexibility
We’re living in a time where people are reconsidering and restructuring the 9-5 work model. Senior living facilities already break this mold with their varying shifts. However, don’t underestimate the value of flexible scheduling.
Situations change over time so it’s important to keep open communication about their hours. With stricter facilities out there, this may be a key in making your company stand out.
With all of this said, sometimes you just need help with your hiring processes. One of JDI’s specialties is Senior Living, if you’re interested in learning more you can click here or email info@jdisearch.com.