Frequently in social settings, the discussion turns to someone’s work environment. Sometimes they will say, “You’re HR, what do you think of this”? Often, my unspoken response is, “Wow. Don’t they have an HR department?” As the theme of this edition is “retention,” here are two stories that exemplify why an employee might leave or stay with an employer.
As I sit down to write my last message to you as president of HR Florida, I can’t help but look back to reflect on our achievements during my tenure, but also to look forward to see what I believe the future will hold. In an organization such as HR Florida, representing close to 14,000 SHRM members and continuously working on a wide range of activities throughout the year, it’s sometimes hard to see the scope of our triumphs.
Is your company’s bottom line where it should be? Are you growing, shrinking, or barely keeping your head above water? How are your numbers compared to five years ago? It is no big secret that times are tough for businesses—both small and large. Times are tight. Times are uncertain. Times have changed, and there is no room for error.
Organizations invest a lot of time and resources in recruitment. However, when it comes to keeping their employees, it is frequently a different story. Many organizations struggle with issues related to employee morale, engagement, and retention, and they think the reason employees leave is the lack of sufficient extrinsic motivation.
Feedback begins at an early age and is omnipresent throughout our lives. Feedback helps us understand more about ourselves and is important for our growth and success.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) announced the winners of this year’s Pinnacle Awards on November 16 during its 2012 Leadership Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel & Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Created in 1991, the award is the highest achievement SHRM state councils and chapters can attain, and it honors programs that exceed the standard activities of SHRM affiliates in enhancing the creation of effective HR management.
As a volunteer leader traveling around the state, I often come across HR professionals who ask me, “Just what is HR Florida?” The quick answer is HR Florida represents over 13,000 members as the state affiliate for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and serves as the link between the members, the local chapters, and SHRM. As the global voice of our profession, SHRM sets the agenda.
Welcome to 2013! Are we having fun yet? I know that it’s traditional to start a new year with all sorts of hope, cheer, and optimism. But let’s face it. 2013 is going to be one tough set of 365 days, and I wouldn’t be doing you any favors by pretending it won’t be. Sorry.
What is it that you have hired your employees to do? Do you have an accurate job description that explains their job? Has it been updated when job duties changed or were modified from the original objectives? Your employees want to succeed. Do not set up your good employees for failure. They need to know very specifically what it is you would like them to do. Despite popular belief, they cannot read your mind.