Your Employee Retention Feedback

As promised here are some comments from other petroleum distributors and c-store operators who responded to last week’s tip regarding how they attempt to retain the best employees:

First, a bonus plan worth considering:

“To retain our employees this year we put together a bonus program based on employee turnoverand store shrink. Each Manager is in a pool of the total of all stores… so if you had 20 stores, the pool would be $20,000 ($1,000 per store / $500 for shrink, $500 for turnover). If they can meet the criteria set for shrink and 50% employee turnover at the end of the year they split the money. So, there might only be one store in the end that actually reaches the criteria and only one store would get the pay out, or we might have 10 stores reach their goals.

The supervisors are also in a bonus pool to retain their managers, each manager is worth $500 and at the end of the year if the Manager has survived, the supervisor gets $500 for each. In 2007 and 2008 we averaged approximately 250% employee turnover, this year our ultimate goal is 50%. This bonus system has forced our Managers to hire more dependable employees and it is also forcing our HR to watch the hiring and firing of employees more closely.”

Another suggestion:

“We have some of the local fire department personnel working at our stores in their off hours… we have to flex the hours, but they really are dependable are scheduled primarily to assist our full time personnel…the customers love them, the clerks are never sick and their police friends are added security to the stores…”

One More:

“We have hired older, semi-retired workers for our early shifts… they have a great work ethic and are great with the customers...”

We even received feedback from an actual Air Traffic Controller!

“I happen to be a Retired Air Traffic Controller and now my wife and I operate a c-store. Believe me moving Air Traffic in Orlando is 10 times easier than hiring and keeping good employees in the store. Good article.”

And in Minnesota, when you just have to just say no to an underperforming but once Superstar employee…follow Mike’s lead:

"Brett requested his release some time ago," Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said. "He has not indicated any desire to return to football and he remains retired. We wish him the best."

Next week… Darlene is back with her tips on serving up combo meals for her customers.