Amid a 29.8 percent turnover rate within the transport and logistics sector in the UK, Stacey Allen-Hayes – director of corporate partnerships at Arden University – has listed her top tips on how businesses within the sector can retain talent.
First, Allen-Hayes posits that businesses must invest in good learning and development. Within this, they should aim to tailor what they provide their employees to suit their career goals, whilst remaining relevant to the industry so that the business grows as its employees progress.
Second, companies are encouraged to hiring from within as this can make staff feel valued whilst they continue to aim for career goals with the company.
Allen-Hayes highlights the significance of keep an open communication as trust, transparency and mutual respect are harnessed through the ability to share ideas, concerns and feedback. Additionally, an employee can understand the company’s objectives and their role within this, which in turn should keep the individual engaged in their work.
The three previous pointers tie into the fourth put forward by Allen-Hayes, which is to promote empowerment. This can be done by giving employees autonomy in decision making, trusting them with responsibilities, and involving them in strategic dialogues. This, according to Allen-Hayes, will not only make them feel more trusted and valued, but also act outside of their comfort zone.
The final tip is for businesses to focus on employing – and training – managers to lead with empathy, transparency and fairness. Allen-Hayes suggests that degree apprenticeships are good way of doing this, given the opportunity for those who know the business to upskill and learn on the job.
