Member Article

Overcoming Recruitment and Retention Challenges: Insights from the UK Care Sector

The UK’s private care sector has long struggled with recruiting and retaining employees, but the lessons learned can be applied to the wider business world. By understanding the challenges and implementing modern solutions, businesses can create a more stable and fulfilling work environment for their employees, benefitting clients and the company as a whole.

Overcoming Recruitment Issues: Attracting new talent is a common challenge for businesses, and the care sector is no exception. One contributing factor is the competitive job market, where low wages in your sector can discourage potential candidates. To overcome this hurdle, you should consider offering competitive wages above the minimum requirement. By doing so, you can attract more applicants and create a positive image for your industry.

Historically, for example, the recruitment of new carers in the private care sector has been plagued by low wages, which has made it hard to attract new talent. As of April 2023, the National Living Wage (NLW) has risen to £10.42 per hour for workers aged 23 and over.

Although this is an improvement, it still falls short when compared to other industries that offer higher wages for entry-level positions. Take the retail sector, where the majority of household names including Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, already pay workers above £11.00 per hour. Take a look at what other sectors are doing where positions are similar to the ones you’re offering, and make sure you’re offering competitive wages.

Another barrier to recruitment is the demanding nature of certain jobs, such as in care work. In addition to offering competitive wages, businesses must emphasise the rewards and satisfaction of your work. By highlighting the positive aspects, such as making a real difference in people’s lives, companies can appeal to potential employees and encourage them to join their team.

Investing in comprehensive training programs can further give prospective employees confidence in their skills and demonstrates your commitment to their professional development. Companies should focus on providing thorough onboarding and ongoing training opportunities, ensuring that employees are equipped to excel in their roles and progress!

Improving the Retention of Employees: High staff turnover rates can negatively impact your reputation and continuity of service. To address this issue, you should focus on creating a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and heard. Regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and access to support services can help maintain open lines of communication and reduce burnout.

Moreover, offering competitive benefits packages, including health insurance, pensions, and paid time off, can help make a job more attractive and encourage long-term commitment. Additionally, providing opportunities for professional development and career progression, such as funding for further education or offering in-house training programs, can help employees feel more invested in their roles and less likely to seek employment elsewhere.

Finally, encourage fun at work! Helping your employees to connect with clients on a personal level and incorporate enjoyable activities into their work, if possible, can boost employee satisfaction and make your customers happy. This supports the retention of not only your employees, but your customers too. Our carers at Walfinch might take a client out to play golf or give a client a manicure for example. The point is that trying to do something fun, while going above and beyond, benefits both the retention of workers and the loyalty of your clients.

Recruitment and retention challenges in various industries can be overcome by learning from the UK’s private care sector. By offering competitive wages, promoting the rewards of work, investing in training, and focusing on employee satisfaction, businesses can build a more stable workforce that is better equipped to meet the needs of their clients. By addressing these challenges, companies can create a more robust and sustainable workforce for the future.

Written by Amrit Dhaliwal, CEO of national homecare franchise, Walfinch.

*Retail Sector Reference: Retail Gazette, February 2023

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Walfinch .