7 strategies to put in place at your company to successfully retain employees

Employee retention is no longer an option: it's a strategic issue for any company that wants to perform well. Today, an attractive salary is no longer enough. Your employees want more: an engaging working environment, shared values and a sincere commitment on the part of their employer to engage in return.

Meeting these expectations means much more than limiting staff turnover. It means giving your team a solid advantage: fewer departures, greater productivity and greater commitment. The magic formula for making your company shine? A loyalty strategy that puts your employees at the heart of the game. 💓

Ready to discover concrete levers to keep your talent motivated and ready to achieve all their goals? Hang on, here we go!

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What is employee retention?

Employee retention: definition

Employee retention refers to all the actions and strategies put in place to encourage employees to stay with the company over the long term. It aims to create an environment where they feel :

• valued
• listened to
• and involved, in order to strengthen their professional commitment.

💡 Loyalty is based on a relationship of mutual trust that goes beyond the strictly professional.

Why is it important to build loyalty?

The aim of building loyalty is clear: to build a lasting partnership where everyone wins. For employees, it's a framework that makes them want to stay. For the company, it's the assurance of having a motivated team ready to excel. 💪

The main advantages of a loyalty policy are:

1. Firstly, limiting departures. Every departure has a cost: recruitment, training, loss of know-how... Keeping your talent allows you to maintain stable management and avoid these losses of time and money.
2. Secondly, it increases efficiency. A loyal employee knows his job inside out. They know how the business works, which makes them more productive and able to contribute effectively to your objectives.
3. Finally, the resilience of your teams depends on their commitment. Involved employees adapt better to change and take challenges head on. They move forward with you, convinced by the company's values and vision.

☝️ Building loyalty does more than just reduce staff turnover. It creates a positive working climate, ensures continuity of skills and turns your teams into the real drivers of your success. After all, committed employees are the best guarantee of a solid, sustainable business!

What can you do to build employee loyalty?

The role of managers and good management practices

A good manager is much more than a conductor who hands out tasks. They are a coach, a driving force and a listening ear. Because a well-managed team is a team that stays and gives its best. 🙏

Our advice:

👉 F ocus on recognition: a small word for a big impact. We often underestimate the power of a simple "thank you". Yet nothing boosts an employee more than feeling recognised for their efforts. Whether in private or in public, a sincere compliment shows that the work done counts. Even small victories deserve to be celebrated to keep motivation intact!

👉 Think about adaptability, because every employee is unique. Teams are made up of different personalities, and that's all to the good. It's up to you to adapt your management:

• Get to know your employees: what are their strengths, their motivations, their aspirations? Taking the time to understand your team strengthens the bond of trust.
• Be flexible: adjusted working hours, tailor-made assignments or new working methods... Thoughtful flexibility proves that the company knows how to adapt to its employees and not the other way round.

Humane management means recognising the individuality of each member of your team and creating the conditions for them to flourish. And frankly, who would want to leave a manager who listens and inspires? As the saying goes, " You never forget a good manager."

Creating an engaging work environment

An engaging work environment is much more than a room full of lined-up desks. It's a place where you want to come, not just because you have to. Because let's be honest, no one ever dreamed of sitting eight hours a day in a squeaky chair. 🙉

What does this mean in practice?

Take care of the setting so that your teams feel comfortable there

Ergonomics, for example, is not a gimmick. Comfortable seats and adjustable desks make all the difference: less back pain, less grumbling at the coffee machine, and bang, productivity goes up. Add good natural lighting (nobody likes looking like a vampire) and soothing colours, and you'll see ideas popping up as quickly as espresso coffees. ☕

And we breathe too, literally. Good ventilation and a controlled noise environment prevent sluggishness. Because working in stuffy air is a bit like working with headphones on.

Shared spaces: more than just breaks, they're about cohesion

Relaxation areas have their role to play:

• a comfortable coffee corner
• a few soft poufs,
• a games room 🎮 (or table football if you're old school)...

... and your teams will have a real place to unwind. You never work better than when the pressure's off.

And above all, don't skimp on high-performance technology. Nothing is more frustrating than a slow computer or outdated tools. High-performance equipment shows that you take your team seriously. It also prevents you from hearing: "I'm rebooting my PC... again."

Involve your staff in the design

Who knows better than your employees what inspires them? Involve them in the choice of furniture and layout. A space that looks like them is a space that they want to move into. It's not rocket science: when you feel good, you stay. 🧘

Don't neglect a strong corporate culture

A strong corporate culture is much more than a fashionable concept: it's the backbone of your loyalty strategy. It gives meaning, strengthens commitment and motivates your talent to stay and contribute to the collective adventure.

Corporate culture is based on :

1. clear and inspiring values: these must be lived out on a daily basis, as concrete benchmarks that guide your decisions and inspire your teams. If you advocate respect or innovation, show it in your actions, not just in your PowerPoint presentations.
2. Inclusiveness and diversity: a company that values every employee, whatever their profile or background, attracts and retains staff. Diversity is a driving force: it stimulates innovation, enhances well-being and fosters a positive working environment where everyone finds their place.
3. a culture that is committed on a daily basis, and is built up day by day. To achieve this:
4. involve your teams in defining the company's objectives. A shared vision is a clear direction that unites and strengthens cohesion.
5. Reward every victory, big or small. Sincere recognition, even for a project completed on time, can do wonders for motivation.
6. Clarify development prospects and offer concrete career opportunities. An employee who thinks ahead with you is an employee who stays.

Giving feedback and showing recognition

Regular, constructive feedback

Forget the dusty annual appraisal. To be effective, feedback needs to be regular, clear and constructive. Take the time to talk to your teams individually. Here are a few key points to bear in mind:

• Recognise successes: a simple "well done" or "thank you" at the right moment can give a real boost. Why go without?
• Support areas for improvement: feedback isn't about pointing the finger, it's about guiding. Show them where they can make progress and prove that you believe in their skills.
• Encourage discussion: feedback should be a discussion, not a monologue. Listen to their feelings and expectations, and show them that their voice counts.

Genuine, high-impact recognition

Recognition, big or small, has an immediate effect on motivation. And the good news is that it doesn't always have to cost the earth.

• Celebrate successes publicly: honouring an employee in front of the team shows them that their efforts count. There's nothing like it to strengthen their sense of belonging. 🏆
• Be creative with your rewards: a bonus, an extra day off, or even a simple thoughtful gesture, such as a personalised note. It's these details that make the difference.
• Establish a culture of gratitude: saying "thank you" costs nothing. Yet it fosters a positive climate and boosts the well-being of your teams.

Remember: an employee who is recognised for his or her contribution is an employee who stays and commits. And who knows? Maybe they too will end up thanking you...

A clear and motivating remuneration policy

There's no denying it: when it comes to retaining your teams, salary is everything. But these days, that's no longer enough. A clear and motivating pay policy means showing that you value your employees, both in their work and in their daily lives.

1. Nobody stays motivated with a pay slip that makes them cringe. Take the time to assess the market so that you are in line with standards.
2. Then reward effort and results. Regular and transparent bonuses appeal to everyone. And if you want to play the long game, opt for profit-sharing. There's nothing like it for involving your teams in the collective success: "When the company wins, you win too".

Our recommendation: think beyond salary! Benefits show that you've understood what really matters to your teams.

• 🏥 good health cover: offer modern solutions (over and above legal obligations), such as access to mental health services or sports programmes.
• 🌴 time for yourself: generous holidays, with options to buy back days if needed. This gives a real boost to managing personal life without stress.
• 💻 day-to-day flexibility: teleworking, flexible working hours... It's simple, but terribly effective. When there's a work/life balance, commitment naturally follows.

Start with recruitment and induction

Induction is your first chance to score points with your new employees. A careful welcome means a commitment that starts off on the right foot.

And with good reason: onboarding can't be improvised.

• Prepare the groundwork: tools ready, schedule for the first few days, clear objectives. As soon as they arrive, give them the keys to understanding where they are and where they're going.
• 👯 Why not add a buddy? Yes, you know, that friendly colleague who makes the rounds, answers questions (even the simplest ones) and avoids that awkward moment when you're desperately looking for the coffee machine.
• Finally, plan a few check-ups to make sure everything is running smoothly. Follow-up is like a well-placed "How are you?": it shows you're there.

Communication: don't sweep anything under the carpet. Explain the vision, the objectives and everyone's role. A team that understands the why is keen to contribute to the how. Encourage newcomers to ask questions, to express themselves... in short, to take their place.

And above all, show them quickly that they count. A word about their first success? A compliment on their adaptation? It sounds simple, but it makes you want to invest for a long time! 💫

Invest in training and career prospects

An effective loyalty strategy is based on a simple idea: allow your employees to grow with you. By investing in developing their skills, you boost their motivation while keeping your business competitive.

The world of work is changing at lightning speed, and keeping up to date is essential. Offer ongoing training to enable your teams to acquire new skills. Whether it's through e-learning programmes, workshops or coaching, diversifying the methods shows that you' re adapting to their needs. Because a company that trains is a company that bets on its talent. 🎰

But training goes far beyond technical learning. It is also a powerful motivator. Offer personalised courses: a plan tailored to each employee shows that you recognise their ambitions and unique strengths. You should also provide visibility with clear prospects for development. When your employees know where they can go, they stay committed and loyal.

Encourage work/life balance

Work-life balance has become a key factor in retaining your teams. Offering flexibility means investing in their well-being and productivity.

There are two main tools you can use:

• flexible working, particularly with longer working hours: less stress, more peace of mind. By letting your employees organise their day, you can enhance their autonomy while boosting their efficiency.
• the sacrosanct concept of teleworking: less travel-related fatigue, greater comfort and better concentration... For optimum implementation, use collaborative tools (Slack, Teams, Trello) and set clear rules to align expectations.

How do you measure employee loyalty?

Implementing loyalty strategies without measuring their effectiveness means you're going in blind. There are several key indicators you can use to monitor the performance of your approach:

• The retention rate measures the percentage of employees who stay with the company over a given period. A high rate indicates successful retention.
• Conversely, a high employee turnover rate reveals areas of friction in your organisation. Identifying the causes enables you to adjust your strategies.
• Absenteeism: an increase in absences can be a sign of disengagement or unhappiness at work. Keep an eye on these figures so that you can take preventive action.
• The eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score) measures the satisfaction and commitment of your employees. The question is simple: would you recommend your company as a good place to work? The higher the score, the more loyal and motivated your teams are.

Focus on employee loyalty tools

Communication and feedback tools

Communication plays a key role in engaging teams. To gather feedback, give feedback and improve the exchange, you can use :

• SurveyMonkey or Culture Amp: Platforms for conducting internal surveys and measuring employee satisfaction.
• Officevibe: An ideal tool for monitoring employee commitment and collecting regular feedback.
• Slack or Microsoft Teams: These messaging tools encourage rapid communication between teams and strengthen day-to-day links.

Recognition and motivation tools

Valuing employees is essential for limiting staff turnover. To recognise effort and success:

• Bonusly: A solution for distributing rewards in the form of points or virtual gifts. A fun way to show your appreciation.
• Kudos: A platform dedicated to messages of thanks and congratulations between colleagues. Recognition becomes a reflex.

Career management and training software

An employee who sees prospects for development is more committed. Tools dedicated to training and skills development help build rewarding career paths:

• 360Learning or Talentsoft: e-learning platforms to develop teams' skills while tracking their progress.
• Cornerstone: a comprehensive software package for managing career paths and training plans.

Tools for well-being and work/life balance

Improving the well-being of your employees is a powerful way of building loyalty:

• Alan: a modern health insurance solution, offering complementary services such as access to mental health platforms.
• Gymlib: an application enabling employees to take advantage of a variety of sporting activities to look after their physical balance.

See all software Employee Engagement

Make the most of your employees, and they'll stay loyal to you

Employee loyalty is based on a simple idea: a valued employee is a committed employee. By highlighting their talents and contributions and meeting their expectations, you can create an environment where everyone finds their place and gives their best.

Investing in recognition, career development and day-to-day well-being means offering your teams more than just a job: it means giving them a key role in your company's collective success.

Don't lose sight of what's essential: every employee is unique. Listen to them, inspire them and show them that they count. Because as they say, "take care of your employees, and they'll take care of your business". 🚀