Caregiver Retention and Turnover: Are You Ready for the Recession Rebound?

The caregiving profession is notorious for turnover. The nature of the business dictates it, and human resource professionals hear every day "I need to work." Although we do our best to keep good employees with as much work as they'd like, it isn't always possible. Due to the recession, however, caregivers have stayed with their employers as active, steady clients have been few and far between for all home care companies. The total employee turnover rate in the U.S. was 16% in 2007, and only 8% in 2009.

The economy is going to recover though. Economists predict a slow, steady recovery, and we have already seen signs of hope. The last piece to regain strength will be employment, but employers need to get ready. Two-thirds of U.S. employees are expected to turnover as the recession deminishes, and that number is even greater for professional caregivers. All those caregivers who have been faithfully sticking by their employers, will start looking elsewhere if they can't get a steady case. Do you want to keep your key employees? What can you be doing to ensure good caregivers don't seek employment at the agency down the street?

We have spoken in this blog before about employee engagement and satisfaction. It's time to start developing a company culture that makes caregivers want to stay, because the economic impact of losing solid, top employee is too great. The most successful retention strategies encompass many factors, including employee engagement, high employer communication, and decentralized management involvement. When employees hear consistent and constant feedback from all levels of the organization, it creates a high sense of belonging and in turn, reduces the desire to seek employment elsewhere. Do your employees know what the company mission and vision is? Are you soliciting ideas from your caregivers on how they can help the growth of the company? We have all heard of exit interviews, but how about STAY interviews?

Employee retention and turnover is a process, not an event. Making sure employees know how essential they are in the success of the business will undoubtedly make them feel valued. Caregivers who are treated as professionals and feel valued and a senses of belonging are the ones that will stay.