{"id":21012,"date":"2022-12-05T09:58:02","date_gmt":"2022-12-05T14:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/?p=21012"},"modified":"2022-12-05T10:00:43","modified_gmt":"2022-12-05T15:00:43","slug":"5-ways-to-improve-employee-retention-with-company-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellable.co\/blog\/5-ways-to-improve-employee-retention-with-company-purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Improve Employee Retention With Company Purpose"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The challenge of employee retention is more relevant than ever for many companies. With voluntary turnover rates skyrocketing in recent years, employers must explore why their people are quitting and how to address employee satisfaction in a way that improves retention and reduces turnover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since employees consider work to be a primary source of meaning<\/a> in life, they are unlikely to feel satisfied if they can\u2019t find meaning in their work. According to research<\/a> conducted by Benevity, 53% of Gen Z (the generational cohort following millennials) believe it is very important for their work to have meaning, and 71% would accept less pay to do more meaningful work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employee satisfaction and retention can be improved by connecting employee efforts with a meaningful company purpose. A company’s purpose is more than just a slogan or mission statement. It encompasses organizational goals and values, explains why the company exists, shapes its culture, and drives its employees to perform their best and remain loyal to the organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople want more than fair day\u2019s pay for a fair day\u2019s work; they want to find alignment with purpose.\u201d – Michael Schrage, visiting research fellow at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n According to Michael Schrage<\/a>, a net purpose score reflects if an employee would advocate for the organization and its purpose by asking if \u201cthey feel like the organization stands for something\u201d and if \u201cthey feel like the organization reflects and honors the principles and purposes for which it says\u201d. Schrage found<\/a> that many employees have low net-purpose scores, with 72% of respondents stating that they assign a high degree of importance to working in a company with a purpose they believe in and only 49% saying they believe in their organization\u2019s purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is an evident link between an employee\u2019s connection with a company\u2019s purpose and how long they stay at a company, especially for new hires. Companies observe a 52% lower turnover rate among new employees who are involved or connected with their company\u2019s purpose (\u201cnew\u201d refers to employees who have been with the company for 2.5 years or less).<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This data reveals a powerful opportunity for company leaders to connect new employees with the company\u2019s purpose and encourage them to participate in purpose-driven initiatives. This is key to producing longer tenure and overall employee satisfaction. So, what are some tactics companies can apply to increase their employees\u2019 sense of purpose from day one?<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A strong sense of purpose contributes to one\u2019s overall health and happiness, both inside and outside of the workplace. For some employees, fully understanding and engaging with their company\u2019s purpose may seem like a waste of time; until, of course, these same employees end up burning out and feeling meaningless in their day-to-day work. Then, they quit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Companies can avoid this cycle and improve employee retention by educating them on the importance of purpose. Not only will this improve employees\u2019 emotional, psychological, and physical well-being, but by valuing the purpose of their work, they are more likely to remain motivated and perform at a higher caliber. A purpose challenge<\/a> is an effective tool for engaging employees with purpose by educating them, encouraging participation in purpose-driven activities and rewarding them for their efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The likelihood of turnover decreases for new employees who are connected to their company\u2019s purpose. However, Benevity\u2019s research shows that employees who have been with a company for under one year are less likely to engage with company purpose than their longer-employed peers. This reveals that companies need to be intentional with how they communicate the company\u2019s purpose during onboarding processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rather than simply mentioning their company purpose to new hires, companies could provide them with donation currency or organize group mission-driven activities for all the new cohorts, creating an opportunity for purpose-building in addition to team bonding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employees tend to look to their leaders as examples of which qualities to strive for and which actions to take. Therefore, leadership commitment to company purpose sends the message that the rest of the company should follow their steps. Consistently communicating the company\u2019s commitments and contributions to a purpose or cause will help employees see the value of involvement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every employee should believe their work is valuable. Employers must make company goals clear while providing employees with an understanding of how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Giving employees a \u201cwhy\u201d to their tasks allows them to understand their part in achieving larger-scale goals, motivating them to perform their best and integrating a sense of purpose in their workday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Good employees are an investment. Companies often provide employees with the tools and training to further their development within their area of expertise, but often undermine the importance of fostering growth in other aspects of life. The dimensions of one\u2019s well-being go far beyond occupational. An employee\u2019s well-being also consists of physical, emotional, financial, social, intellectual, and environmental factors. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Connection Between Purpose And Retention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n5 Ways To Engage Employees With Purpose To Increase Retention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Educate employees on the health benefits of living purposefully. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Prioritize purpose during onboarding. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Lead by example. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Connect employees\u2019 work with the greater impact. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Create opportunities for employees to grow in all aspects of life. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n