EMPLOYMENT
AND
RETENTION
One of the biggest challenges facing
organisations today is finding and acquiring the
right staff as suitable people are usually limited
in supply, but in high demand.
To win in the marketplace you must first win in the workplace.
Doug Conant
Not finding the right staff member can make recruiting industry where they may not stay long. However,
very costly, especially for smaller organisations who the board must trust that its employees – in being
may lack the resources and time of larger businesses nurtured, involved and informed – will feel they add
– HOAs find themselves in this space. value. This knowledge, combined with intrinsically
rewarding work and scope for career development,
So, if the right staff member is hard to find, should an will ensure that not only do employees add value to
HOA not do everything they can – firstly, to employ the the HOA, but that the HOA also adds value to them.
right person, and secondly, to ensure that they can
retain this person by providing the right conditions
for career development and growth? In theory the
answer is yes.
In practice, however, this may turn out differently if
Tell me and I forget. Teach me
and I remember. Involve me and
I learn. Benjamin Franklin
the HOA does not know what its culture is or has not
first looked internally to see if the right people are In today’s economic climate, with ever-increasing
already in the right roles. A hard look at the HOA’s costs, employees are working beyond retirement
leadership style is required. For example, does the age, and are not only searching for a company
HOA want someone in this position who follows the that remunerates well, but are also looking for a
processes currently in place, or someone who can meaningful long-term job, doing what they enjoy in
bring something new that could improve what they a positive committed environment where they feel
currently offer? they are recognised, and that provides them with a
platform for career development.
Once all these factors have been ascertained, and
employees who are committed to achieving the
goals of the HOA have been hired through the right
recruitment practices, the HOA needs to ensure that
it does not fail to accommodate the expectations
of the person employed. Mentoring and coaching
are essential to ensure that employees understand
When people are financially invested,
they want a return. When people are
emotionally invested, they want to
contribute. Simon Sinek
the HOA culture and what is required of them. It
is understandable that sometimes employers are
reluctant to make big investments in staff in an
Sandy Mc Cann
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