Empowering managers to tackle high turnover rates in HR

Nicole Currie

Written By Nicole Currie

21st September 2023

Share on:

HR departments are currently facing above-average staff turnover of 15%, which is 35% higher than the 11% average, according to recent data from LinkedIn. It’s unsurprising that HR staff turnover is high when you factor in the impact of the talent shortage in HR. The recruitment market in this area is the toughest it has been in decades, and the rise of hybrid working has created increasingly complex people-related issues. Additionally, there is a deficit in manager’s capability to self-serve some simple employee relations tasks, as highlighted in this insightful research.

Organisations urgently need to focus on enabling HR to do the job they are trained to do, which means relieving the pressure that comes from an overreliance on HR for dealing with transactional employee relations tasks. This requires investment in upskilling and empowering managers to improve their capabilities in people management.

Empowering managers unlocks organisational success

HR serves as the backbone of an organisation’s people strategy, making it a top priority to address the challenge of high turnover to ensure stability and success. Empowering managers to handle more people matters alleviates the burden on HR, allowing them to spend more time focusing on their core responsibilities and people strategies.

Empowering managers involves several crucial aspects, making it a multifaceted endeavour. To enable them to take charge of transactional tasks currently delegated to HR, investing in the right technology, tools and training is essential. This investment enhances their skill set, enabling them to play a significant role in addressing employee relations issues and reducing high turnover rates.

With the field of HR becoming increasingly complex, due to the demands created by market conditions, C-suite requirements and the talent war, freeing HR from administrative tasks enables them to grow in their roles. Organisations can leverage technology, analytics and robust support systems to allow HR to focus on strategic initiatives, thereby enhancing job satisfaction and increasing retention.

Combatting high HR turnover rates

To combat high turnover rates, it is vital for HR departments to prioritise transformation initiatives that enable them to foster a supportive and positive work environment. When employees feel appreciated and encouraged, they are more likely to stay with a company long-term.

  • HR plays a crucial role in creating a positive work environment: By promoting open communication, recognising employee achievements, promptly addressing concerns, and prioritising employee well-being and satisfaction, HR can reduce turnover and improve overall company success.
  • A supportive and positive workplace attracts and retains talent: People want to work for organisations that align with their values and beliefs. When employees feel that their values align with those of the organisation, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated to contribute to the company’s objectives, resulting in a harmonious work environment and improved performance.
  • Establishing the right culture within an organisation is critical: A positive culture can impact employee morale, productivity and overall success, and this is where HR professionals thrive.

Empowering managers with the right resources and safeguards enables HR to focus on creating agile, forward-thinking functions that support business success. This helps HR focus more time on building a culture that retains talent and makes the role of HR more fulfilling. This requires a holistic approach that benefits not just managers but the entire organisation. Read our whitepaper to explore how you can overcome the barriers to manager empowerment.

Simplify employee relations with streamlined case management

empower® is the best-in-class employee relations case management software that can help transform employee relations and pinpoint the root causes of issues that may be impacting retention.

Its analytics capabilities can identify possible reasons for high turnover rates in specific business areas. For example, it may reveal a lack of performance management or trends in disciplinary cases, an increase in grievances or bullying cases, or very few informally managed cases, indicating that issues escalate quickly. Identifying these issues proactively can help organisations resolve them before they become serious.

To learn more about how empower® can be customised to suit your business needs, arrange a call today.

Speak to our HR experts

Call us today on

0844 327 2293

Contact us