Ever wondered why your best people are heading for the exits? Hint: it’s not always about the money. Sure, a fat paycheck is nice, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. So what’s going wrong? Let’s dive into the numbers, which come straight from hundreds of companies that have already completed our HR Scorecard Discovery Quiz, and see where the cracks are showing.
But first, a quick word about MAGIC. No, not the kind with rabbits and hats, but the kind that transforms workplaces. In my book, The MAGIC of HR, I lay out the five pillars that can give your business a serious boost: Meaning, Accountability, Growth, Inclusion, and Care. These aren’t just buzzwords – they’re the building blocks of a thriving workplace. And they’re exactly what’s missing when your best people start to eye the door.
Recruitment – You’re Halfway There
With an average score of 67.5%, recruitment is looking decent, but there’s still room for improvement. You’re attracting talent, sure, but are you attracting the right talent? And once they’re in, are you setting them up to succeed, or just throwing them into the deep end? Remember, recruitment isn’t just about filling seats – it’s about building a team that sticks around for the long haul.
Here’s where Meaning and Accountability come into play. From the get-go, your recruitment process should be about more than just a job description. It’s about finding people who resonate with your company’s mission and feel like they’re part of something bigger. Once you’ve got them on board, make sure they know what’s expected of them and how they can contribute – that’s accountability. Get those right, and you’re already ahead of the game.
Retention – You’ve Got Them, Now Keep Them
At 72.1%, your retention score shows that you’re doing a solid job of keeping your people happy – for now. But let’s not get complacent. Retention is a bit like gardening: it needs constant attention. Ignore it, and the weeds (or recruiters from other companies) will start creeping in. Keep your team engaged, challenged, and appreciated, and they’ll be less likely to jump ship.
Growth is a key part of retention, and it’s one of the MAGIC pillars for a reason. People want to know that they’re not just treading water, but swimming towards something – a promotion, new skills, or even just a bigger challenge. Show them the path forward, give them the tools to get there, and watch as your retention rates soar. And don’t forget Care – it’s not just about checking in on performance, but also about genuinely caring for their well-being.
Rewarding the Right Way
Let’s talk about rewards – because let’s face it, everyone likes to feel valued. But with a score of 62.9%, it seems like some of you might be handing out gold stars when a genuine “thank you” would do. It’s not just about bonuses and pay rises (though those don’t hurt). It’s about recognizing hard work and celebrating wins, big or small. If your team feels like they’re slogging away with no recognition, they’re going to start looking for somewhere that appreciates them more.
This is where Inclusion and Care from the MAGIC formula come in. A reward doesn’t have to be a grand gesture – sometimes, the smallest act of recognition can have the biggest impact. Make sure your team feels seen and included in the company’s successes. When everyone feels like they’re a valued part of the story, they’re less likely to start writing a new chapter elsewhere.
Offboarding – Don’t Let the Door Hit Them on the Way Out
And then there’s offboarding. At a paltry 54.5%, this is where many of you are really dropping the ball. Here’s a tip: how you treat people on the way out is just as important as how you treat them on the way in. A shoddy offboarding process can undo years of good work, leaving a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. It’s not just about HR forms and exit interviews – it’s about leaving the door open for future opportunities and keeping your company’s reputation intact.
Offboarding is the ultimate test of Accountability and Care. Even as someone’s walking out the door, you need to show them that their time with you was valued and that their departure is handled with respect. It’s about being accountable to all your employees, past and present, and showing that you care about their experience until the very end.
Time to Take Action
So, what’s the takeaway here? If you’re serious about keeping your best people, it’s time to take a good hard look at your employee experience – from recruitment to offboarding and everything in between. And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about weaving in those MAGIC elements – Meaning, Accountability, Growth, Inclusion, and Care – across every stage of the employee journey.
The data from hundreds of companies that have already completed our scorecard doesn’t lie: there’s work to be done. But the good news is, you’re not in this alone. Thehrhub.co.uk is here to help you fill in the gaps, whether it’s boosting your onboarding process, sprucing up your rewards program, or making sure your offboarding process isn’t an afterthought. Because in the end, a happy, engaged team isn’t just good for morale – it’s good for business. And who doesn’t want that?
At thehrhub.co.uk, we’re here to help you apply that MAGIC across all stages of the employee experience. Whether it’s giving your onboarding process that extra sprinkle of meaning, boosting your growth opportunities, or making sure your offboarding process leaves everyone with a smile, we’ve got you covered. Because at the end of the day, a happy team means a happy bottom line.
Need help making sure you’re retaining your top talent? Drop us a line via hello@thehrhub.co.uk or give us a call on 0203 6277048. If you don’t want to speak to anyone but would like to learn more, read my book The MAGIC of HR.
