Millions of capable people are out there, unemployed and looking for work. As a result, your employees aren’t going anywhere, right? After all, who would want to risk taking the plunge to a new company in such an uncertain economy?

Wrong! In fact, according to a 2012 survey by Jobvite, 3 out of 4 workers (75%) are actively looking for or open to new jobs. So retention is a serious issue for every employer!

Unfortunately, as a leading staffing agency in Houston, TX, Murray Resources knows that too many employers are just sitting back, assuming it’s a buyer’s market and they don’t have to do much to retain their top employees. This is a huge – and ultimately costly – mistake.

So what are some other mistakes employers make when it comes to retention? Here’s a look at 6 more:

Mistake #1: Thinking no one else is hiring.

Your company may not be hiring. But that doesn’t mean your competition isn’t. Furthermore, it doesn’t mean your competition isn’t trying to woo your top talent away from you with all kinds of perks and offers.

Mistake #2: Not investing in retention.

During tough economic times, it’s tempting to cut areas – like retention strategies – that don’t seem like a priority. Don’t do it! The first employees to leave during tough times can often be your best ones. Then, not only will you be battling a difficult economy, but you’ll be doing it with your B-team, not your A-one.

Mistake #3: Assuming unhappy employees will speak up.

Do you say something every time you have bad service at a store or are disappointed with a product? If you’re like most people, probably not. You simply stop patronizing the store or buying the product. Employees are the same. They’re not always going to speak up when they’re unhappy; they’re just going to look for greener pastures elsewhere.

Mistake #4: Not holding managers accountable for retention.

Most employees don’t leave because they don’t like the company; they leave because they don’t like their boss. That’s why it’s important to tie employee retention to incentives for your managers and ensure it’s a top priority for them, just as productivity is.

Mistake #5: Failure to communicate.

A failure to communicate clear goals and expectations is a retention killer. Employees will wind up feeling confused, uncertain, and ultimately unmotivated and disengaged. This is especially true for new hires; so make sure you communicate early, often, and clearly about your expectations for each and every employee.

Mistake #6: Assuming employees are loyal to your company.

Employee loyalty is a thing of the past. In fact, employee loyalty is at a seven-year low, according to a March 2012 MetLife survey of employee benefits, trends and attitudes. So don’t think you can rest on your laurels when it comes to retention; it’s something you must be aware of and actively invest in on a regular basis. If you don’t, it will cost you.

Need Help With Your Hiring & Retention Process?

If you do, let Murray Resources know. As a leading staffing agency in Houston, TX, we’ve delivered extraordinary recruiting and staffing solutions to Houston’s leading employers for over 30 years. Let us help you too! Contact Murray Resources today to learn more.