OK, So What Do I Tell Employees Now?

In a world of reimbursement chaos, fast-paced changes in mergers and acquisitions and general uncertainty in the HME industry, employees are being lured by ever-increasing compensation and benefits packages. The home care equipment and services provider is in a struggle to compete with corporate giants in other sectors of health care and beyond.

So what can you do to keep your employees? The fundamentals of staff retention haven't changed a great deal over the years. Sure, younger workers have no concept of lifelong loyalty to an employer, but then again, that's because they've seen their parents laid off.

Yet even young workers want many of the things most of us did when we started, like money and benefits. Think about the job changes you've made over the years. What motivated you? The same things probably are incentives today.

Here's what employees really want:

• Money

  Don't be swayed by those so-called “expert” surveys that talk about money being way down the list of things that keep employees motivated. Money is very important. No one pays their bills on self-esteem and a happy work environment.

  Would you be pleased with a 2 or 3 percent increase for busting your hump? Where money's concerned, do the best you can whenever you can. Don't lose someone over a few hundred dollars. Look at bonus programs and make sure everyone can participate. See that bonuses are tied to increasing profits (that's where true dollars come from).

• Listening

  Everyone in the enterprise has a perspective, an insight or idea that's worth hearing. Remember, when it comes to solutions, those closest to the problem or the customer often have the best source of information and ideas. Make sure you and your managers are encouraging feedback and input from the staff.

• Strategic Management

  There is much to be said for curiosity and observation. Look around for new ideas, trends and additional sources of support — and don't hesitate to look outside this industry. People want to know their boss is not simply waiting but causing something to happen to improve business.

  Keep your people in the loop on what you're planning and why. The strategy-of-the-month won't work anymore. Employees want to know their leaders are thinking further out and have ideas to generate long-term security.