One of the worst things small & medium sized businesses can experience is called ‘same day attrition’. That is when a new hire quits the position on the first day they start. Posting a job opening, interviewing potential candidates, making offers and training cost time and money and the process has to be repeated when same day attrition happens. Turnover can greatly affect small & medium sized businesses much more so than larger operations, and will directly impact profitability. Same day attrition can be mitigated by looking at the organization’s onboarding process and identifying opportunities to make the process smoother and more supportive for the new hire.
Starting Off on the Right Foot
Finding a job is a stressful ordeal, especially for entry level positions. Businesses that have daunting or complex job applications are sure to get less potential candidates than businesses with simplified application processes. Even this initial contact can set a positive tone for any potential candidate. Taking a closer look at how the business application looks and the hiring process are great steps to discover potential improvements in the onboarding process. During the hiring process, interviews should be kept and informative and most importantly, on time. Managers and owners who keep candidates waiting after an agreed upon time are not starting off on the right foot. Leadership starts at the top as the old cliche goes. Other positive actions that can reduce same day attrition are:
- Plan and structure interviews with relevant and engaging questions
- Call backs and offers should be done within a reasonable time frame
- Communicate with applicants to keep them in the loop
- TIP! This is a good way to gauge enthusiasm
- Review the internal hiring paperwork process and identify opportunities to streamline
- Ensure training plan or strategy is set before any offers are made for seamless onboarding
Same day attrition can usually be traced back to lack of support and information from supervisors and it is critical that new hire’s be supported and ‘have their hand held’ while the adjust and adapt to their new work environment.
The New Hire Environment
Larger teams in small & medium sized businesses will have an established culture and manager and owners should understand the pulse of the business. Does the team have an open and accepting attitude when a new hire is brought in? Morale and motivation come into play when checking in on the culture of the workspace. Managers and owners should ask 2 questions when it comes to culture and new hires:
- Will a new hire thrive and grow in the current environment?
- Will the new hire have the tools and resources to do the job expected of them?
Expectations should be set on both ends as the team works together to achieve a common goal. Clear communications and team engagement will ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards that goal.
Mentoring and Training New Hires Reduces SDA
One of the biggest drivers of same day attrition is lack of support and training when starting out. Employees who are ‘thrown in head first’ have a higher rate of failure and turnover than supported new hires. Communicating the training plan to the candidate is essential for their success and utilizing mentorship during the early stages of employment can help build strong working relationships between new hires and veteran and key players on the team. Important information about resources and where to find them should be conveyed during the early stages of onboarding a new employee. The tidal wave of information a new hire gets in the first few days of the job can be overwhelming and must be balanced with support and resources to promote a smoother transition into the workspace.
The Bottom Line
The new hire’s experience starts from the time the application is filled out and human friendly processes can enhance the onboarding experience for the new hire. Turnover from ‘same day attrition’ is a profit killer for small and medium sized businesses. Spent resources during the hiring process now have to be doubled for a new search. High and fast turnover increases costs, reduces efficiency and, of course, negatively affects profitability. Challenges in the company’s onboarding process could lead to same day attrition and creating an enthusiastic and supportive environment for new hires is essential for a smooth and uncomplicated onboarding process. Early stages of employment often set the direction for the new hire and could greatly influence performance and efficiency levels in the future.