Working in supply chain management can be difficult at all levels, resulting in high employee turnover. Regardless of whether you’re a frontline worker managing packaging, a truck driver transporting goods, or senior management monitoring budgets, the supply chain has a lot of moving parts.
Stress and employee turnover go hand-in-hand. Unfortunately, high levels of employee turnover have detrimental effects on productivity and profitability.
Here are six strategies to help reduce employee turnover.
Streamline Your Systems
Having the right tools and systems in place makes all the difference when creating a productive workplace. The ability to implement automation, simplified tracking, and programs that speak to each other does wonders for employee morale. By limiting avoidable stressors and solving problems with software, you’ll experience better communication and employee morale.
Pretend that you are an automotive shop owner, you’ll notice that many shops have struggled due to the rising competition. A lot of automotive repair shops and car parts distributors are popping like mushrooms. To stay ahead of the game, you’ll surely want to streamline your systems by considering an easy-to-use software. This will surely reduce staff attrition as it will make your business process easier and faster.
That being said, systems directly related to the supply chain aren’t the only ones to address. It’s also integral to audit core business systems and improve processes that contribute to the employee experience. For example, offering payment through direct deposit while still offering pay stub generation (see more here at thepaystubs.com) or empowering employees to manage access their schedule and submit vacation requests through a unified platform.
The more streamlining and centralization you have in place, the less margin for error during the complexities of logistics and supply chain management.
Maintain an Open Door Policy
Building an empowered company culture is essential for preventing employee turnover. With processes as complex and nuanced as the supply chain, it’s vital that leadership collects feedback and ideas from workers at all levels. After all, the person loading trucks is going to have a better idea of how to improve that process than someone sitting in an office.
Create an open-door policy that encourages employees to come forward with their challenges and complaints, as well as their ideas for improvement. Employees feel valued when their complaints and ideas are listened to and brought forth for discussion.
Prioritize Health and Safety
Health and safety are paramount for keeping the supply chain in order. If there was any doubt before, the Coronavirus pandemic showcased major flaws in the global supply chain. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to prioritize the health and wellness of your greatest asset: your people.
Ensure that all employees have the training and equipment they need to be safe on the job. Enforce policies and schedule regular compliance checks. The cost of implementing proper safety measures is well worth the investment in protecting human lives.
Promote Stress Management and Wellness
Working in the supply chain at any level comes with a fair deal of stress, which leads to burnout if the proper measures aren’t put in place. Be proactive in offering stress management and wellness resources, such as gym memberships, mandatory breaks, and relaxation rooms and honouring their vacation requests.
Taking the time to know and monitor your employees for signs of burnout is also an important step in stress management. Remember that employees who are exhibiting signs of burnout need empathy and compassion.
Show Gratitude and Appreciation
Make an effort to show continued gratitude and appreciation to your supply chain workers. When someone brings forth a concern or idea, ensure that they get credit for their thoughts. If your people are working overtime during the peak season rush, buy them food and refreshments to keep them nourished as they work.
Sometimes, the act of saying “thank you for your hard work” is enough. However, it’s also wise to go above and beyond, especially during tougher periods.
Giving business thank you cards to employees stands out as a highly effective approach to achieve this. This recognition can make employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to continue performing at their best.
Get on the Ground Floor
Finally, get your executives and management on the ground floor. Implement job shadowing and work experience opportunities, so those working in an office setting understand what happens on the front line of the supply chain. This practice will help connect employees at different levels and foster a culture of understanding and respect.
These are just a few strategies to help improve employee engagement and reduce turnover within the supply chain. Managing stress through strategy, systems, and employee-centric initiatives is the key to success.