Education staff retention is a huge issue these days. A recent study by the National Education Commission found that nearly half of all new teachers leave the profession within their first five years. This can be extremely frustrating for administrators, who are constantly struggling to find new teachers to fill the vacancies. So, what can we do to improve education staff retention? In this blog post, we will discuss the 5 biggest mistakes to avoid when trying to improve education staff retention rates.
Why Is Employee Retention So Crucial?
There are several reasons why employee retention is so important. First and foremost, it costs a lot of money to hire and train new employees constantly. In fact, the average cost of turnover for a single position can range from $15,000 to $30,000. That’s a huge hit to your budget! Not to mention, it can be extremely disruptive to your students’ learning process when there is a constant revolving door of teachers.
In addition, turnover can negatively impact morale among remaining staff members. When good employees leave, it can be demoralizing for those who stay. Finally, high turnover rates can damage your school’s reputation, making it harder to attract quality candidates in the future.
So, what can we do to keep our employees around? Let’s take a look at the five biggest mistakes we need to avoid:
Mistake #1: Failing To Communicate Your Vision
When you fail to communicate your vision for the school, it can be very confusing for employees. They may not understand what the school is trying to achieve or why their work is so important. As a result, they become disengaged and are more likely to leave.
Mistake #2: Not Providing Adequate Professional Development
One of the biggest complaints among teachers is that they don’t feel like they have enough opportunities to grow professionally. If you want to keep your employees around, you must ensure they feel like they are constantly learning and evolving in their roles.
Professional development doesn’t just mean offering training courses or workshops. It can also include things like coaching, mentorship programs, and opportunities to take on new responsibilities. Not only will this help employees stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments, but it will also show them that you are invested in their growth and development.
Mistake #3: Not Creating A Positive Culture
The culture of your school plays a big role in employee retention. If staff members don’t feel like they fit in or are constantly being berated, they will not stick around for long. It’s important to create a positive and supportive environment where employees feel like they can be themselves and do their best work.
One way to create a positive culture is to focus on appreciation. Make sure you are regularly acknowledging employees for their hard work and contributions. Another way to build a positive culture is by encouraging collaboration and teamwork. When employees feel like they are part of a team and working towards a common goal, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.
Mistake #4: Not Offering Competitive Compensation
If you want to retain good employees, you need to be offering competitive compensation. This doesn’t mean that you have to be the highest paying employer in your area, but you need to offer salaries and benefits that are in line with similar organizations.
Employees will quickly become disgruntled if they feel like they are being underpaid or their benefits are not as good as what others are receiving. To attract and retain the best employees, ensure you offer competitive and fair compensation packages.
Mistake #5: Not Having A Good Onboarding Process
The onboarding process is critical for helping new employees adjust to their new job and feel comfortable in their new environment. If the onboarding process is disorganized or non-existent, it will only serve to frustrate and overwhelm employees.
A good onboarding process should help employees understand their roles and responsibilities, acquaint them with the school’s culture and values, and provide them with the resources they need to be successful in their job. By investing in a solid onboarding program, you can set your new employees up for success from day one.
Our Final Thoughts
Avoiding these five mistakes will go a long way in helping you improve employee retention at your school. Keep these tips in mind as you work to create a positive and supportive environment where your staff members can thrive. With a little effort, you can keep your best employees around for the long haul.
