I saw a intriguing phrase recently in regard to employees’ state of mind: “turnover intention” A Deloitte report describes this as, “an employee’s “conscious and deliberate willfulness to leave the organization” within a certain time interval, e.g., the next six months” (Tett and Meyer, 1993).
You know that I think it is important to never take for granted, the Human beings in your employ. Just a reminder, this still needs to be top-of-mind even during this economic recession, no matter how fast the pace, no matter how desperate you feel.
A decrease in employee job satisfaction is shown to increase turnover intention, which is strongly correlated to voluntary turnover. And you know as well as I do, who is most likely to leave and leave first – those who are delivering, who are most likely to come up with your innovative ideas, those who have the most demanded skills, i.e. those who are most hireable somewhere else… And who are you going to have remaining, when you need to be really competitive as things recover?
What to do? Here’s just one thing. Managers, Leaders, Execs, HR: Please remember what it is like to be an employee. It can be so easy for your current work experience to be a cocoon. For example, you see the reason for that off-site meeting, even during a challenging climate, but, to employees it may look like you are treating yourself, or see yourself as above the fray. In the face of all the water coolers being removed as a cost-cutting measure, your off-site can be a last straw and put turnover intention in gear.
I am not suggesting you deny yourself the means to do what you need to do, but if you choose something that “looks bad,” make it make sense to them. If you choose to make a decision that is not going to go over well, let them know why this important despite the negative impact on them. I don’t mean put it to a vote, but explain it. People can take a lot of “bad news” if presented with the right intention, that is, if you make an effort because you want them to understand. You demonstrate what they think of you matters, to you.
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