30 Lethal Company Mistakes That Lead to Employee Turnover

Employee turnover is a major problem for businesses of all sizes. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that the cost of replacing an employee can be as high as 200% of their annual salary.

That's why it's so important for companies to take steps to reduce employee turnover. And one of the best ways to do that is to avoid making the following 30 lethal mistakes:

1. Not Hiring the Right People

One of the biggest mistakes that companies make is hiring the wrong people. When you hire the wrong people, you're setting yourself up for a host of problems down the road, including high turnover.

There are a few key things to keep in mind when hiring new employees:

• Make sure that the candidates have the right skills and experience for the job.
• Check their references thoroughly.
• Get to know the candidates on a personal level to make sure that they're a good fit for your company culture.

2. Not Providing Adequate Training

Another common mistake that companies make is not providing adequate training for their employees. When employees don't have the training they need to succeed, they're more likely to become frustrated and leave the company.

Make sure that you provide your employees with the training they need to be successful in their roles. This includes both formal training programs and on-the-job training from their supervisors.

3. Not Giving Employees the Opportunity to Grow

Employees need to feel like they have the opportunity to grow and develop in their careers. If they don't see a future for themselves with your company, they're more likely to leave.

Provide your employees with opportunities to learn and grow. This can include giving them new assignments, sending them to conferences, or offering them tuition reimbursement for educational programs.

4. Not Recognizing and Rewarding Employees

When employees feel like their work is not appreciated, they're more likely to leave. Make sure that you recognize and reward your employees for their hard work and dedication.

This doesn't have to be a big, expensive gesture. Even a simple thank-you note or a small gift can go a long way to show your employees that you appreciate them.

5. Not Creating a Positive Work Environment

Employees want to work in a positive and supportive environment. If your company culture is toxic, employees are more likely to leave.

Create a positive work environment by:

• Treating your employees with respect.
• Creating a culture of open communication.
• Providing your employees with the resources they need to succeed.

6. Not Listening to Your Employees

One of the biggest mistakes that companies make is not listening to their employees. When employees feel like their voices are not being heard, they're more likely to leave.

Make sure that you're listening to your employees and taking their feedback seriously. This includes:

• Conducting regular employee surveys.
• Holding regular meetings with employees to get their feedback.
• Making yourself available to employees to discuss their concerns.

7. Not Being Flexible

In today's fast-paced business environment, it's important to be flexible. If your company is not flexible, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that are.

Be flexible by:

• Offering flexible work schedules.
• Allowing employees to work remotely.
• Providing employees with paid time off for personal and family needs.

8. Not Being Competitive with Compensation and Benefits

Employees want to be paid fairly for their work. If your company is not competitive with compensation and benefits, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that are.

Make sure that you're offering your employees competitive compensation and benefits. This includes:

• Paying employees a salary that is commensurate with their experience and skills.
• Offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, and retirement plans.

9. Not Offering Professional Development Opportunities

Employees want to feel like they're developing and growing in their careers. If your company is not offering professional development opportunities, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that are.

Provide your employees with professional development opportunities by:

• Offering tuition reimbursement for educational programs.
• Sending employees to conferences and training programs.
• Providing employees with mentoring and coaching opportunities.

10. Not Empowering Employees

Employees want to be empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work. If your company does not empower employees, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Empower your employees by:

• Giving them the authority to make decisions.
• Providing them with the resources they need to succeed.
• Trusting them to do their jobs without micromanaging them.

11. Not Fostering a Sense of Community

Employees want to feel like they're part of a community at work. If your company does not foster a sense of community, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Foster a sense of community by:

• Organizing company events and activities.
• Creating opportunities for employees to socialize and interact with each other.
• Recognizing and celebrating employee achievements.

12. Not Creating a Clear Path for Advancement

Employees want to feel like they have a clear path for advancement in their careers. If your company does not create a clear path for advancement, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Create a clear path for advancement by:

• Identifying and developing high-potential employees.
• Providing employees with opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
• Creating a formal promotion process.

13. Not Providing Feedback

Employees want to know how they're performing and how they can improve. If your company does not provide feedback, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Provide your employees with feedback by:

• Conducting regular performance reviews.
• Giving employees feedback on their work on a regular basis.
• Creating a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable asking for feedback.

14. Not Promoting Work-Life Balance

Employees want to have a work-life balance. If your company does not promote work-life balance, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Promote work-life balance by:

• Offering flexible work schedules.
• Allowing employees to work remotely.
• Providing employees with paid time off for personal and family needs.

15. Not Creating a Culture of Trust

Employees want to work in a culture of trust. If your company does not create a culture of trust, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Create a culture of trust by:

• Being honest and transparent with employees.
• Keeping your promises to employees.
• Empowering employees to make decisions.

16. Not Providing Opportunities for Input

Employees want to have a voice in how their company is run. If your company does not provide opportunities for input, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Provide your employees with opportunities for input by:

• Conducting regular employee surveys.
• Holding regular meetings with employees to get their feedback.
• Creating employee committees to give employees a voice in decision-making.

17. Not Celebrating Successes

Employees want to be recognized and rewarded for their successes. If your company does not celebrate successes, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Celebrate successes by:

• Recognizing employees for their achievements.
• Providing employees with rewards for their successes.
• Creating a culture of celebration where employees feel appreciated.

18. Not Taking Care of the Basics

Employees want to know that their basic needs are being met. If your company does not take care of the basics, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that do.

Take care of the basics by:

• Providing employees with a safe and healthy work environment.
• Paying employees a living wage.
• Providing employees with access to affordable health care.

19. Not Being Transparent

Employees want to know what's going on in their company. If your company is not transparent, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that are.

Be transparent by:

• Sharing information with employees on a regular basis.
• Being honest and straightforward with employees about the company's challenges and successes.
• Creating a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable asking questions.

20. Not Being Authentic

Employees want to work for companies that are authentic. If your company is not authentic, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that are.

Be authentic by:

• Being true to your values.
• Communicating your values to employees in a clear and concise way.
• Living your values in your day-to-day interactions with employees.

21. Not Investing in Your Employees

Employees want to know that their company is invested in them. If your company is not investing in your employees, you're more likely to lose employees to companies that are.

Invest in your employees by:

• Providing employees with training and development