How Do I... make sure my supervisors and managers are helping retain workers?

Supervisors and managers are the link between the employees and the company. They can be the reason an employee quits, or the reason they stay. Managers and supervisors need training and support to ensure they are equipped to positively impact employee retention

• Assessing your Company's Supervisory/Management Capacity (PDF) - Use this tool to identify any gaps in your supervisors' and managers' capacity.

• Encourage and support supervisors/managers to develop their skills. Reward them with a supervisory course at a local college, Enform or other training institution.
• Enhance workplace tools, processes and practices that support supervisor/ manager's ability to engage employees. See how to manage employee performance, leverage a multi-generational workforce, keep good employees, implement training and development and orient new employees.
• Establish once-a-month management meetings that focus on developing supervisory skills. Use local resources such as the college, Enform, government and/or consultants to help enhance supervisory skills.

Resources

• Finders & Keepers: Recruitment & Retention Strategies (PDF) - Explains the important role managers play in retention (Alberta Human Resources and Employment).
• "Did You Know?" A series of promotional cards used to remind supervisors and managers of the role they play in retaining their workforce:
  • Flexibility is key to keeping employees (PDF)
  • The reality is: Skilled supervisors make the difference (PDF)
  • A new workforce generation means a workforce thinking (PDF)
  • Being clear on expectations is good for morale (PDF)
  • Employees want and expect to be accountable (PDF)
  • Employee retention - it's not all about money (PDF)