How to Retain Your Top Talent in 2025

?? Listen to the full episode on YouTube | Apple | Spotify

In today's episode of the HR Leaders Podcast, we welcome Paaras Parker , Chief Human Resources Officer at Paycor , a leader in human capital management.

She explores the evolving role of HR in business, sharing how companies can navigate retention challenges and better support employees throughout their journey. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a continuous onboarding experience and how businesses can leverage data and flexibility to improve employee engagement.

Watch the full episode by clicking below ??

In this episode, Paaras discusses:

?? Continuous Employee Engagement

→ Paaras talks about the importance of supporting employees beyond the first 90 days, exploring critical milestones that ensure long-term success and job satisfaction.

?? The Power of Shared Language in Culture

→ We dive into how having a common language within the company can drive values and behavior, creating a cohesive and aligned workplace culture.

?? HR’s Role in Driving Business Impact

→ Paaras explains how HR can move beyond traditional roles and actively partner with business leaders to drive meaningful results and outcomes.

?? Reducing Turnover with Better Onboarding

→ Learn how a well-structured, ongoing onboarding process can reduce the alarming trend of 38% of new hires leaving within the first year.

?? What advice Paaras had for future HR leaders:

"Trust yourself, and don't forget the value and power of people. Stay connected with your employees to understand how they feel, and use that knowledge to make better decisions. How we treat people always matters."

"Build strong relationships and foster familiarity, comfort, and trust. These are the foundations of success in HR, and they enable open communication and better decision-making across the organization."

?? HR’s Playbook for Retention and Engagement Success in 2025

1. Extend Onboarding Beyond 90 Days: Employees with less than two years of tenure are 38% more likely to quit. Extend your onboarding process to at least the first year, focusing on continuous communication, feedback, and development to keep employees engaged and reduce turnover.
2. Leverage Predictive Data for Retention: Utilize predictive HR analytics to identify early signs of disengagement or burnout among newer employees. By proactively addressing these issues, you can intervene before they lead to resignations.
3. Empower Leaders to Drive Engagement: Companies with highly effective managers see 110% higher levels of productive feedback and 397% higher engagement from senior leaders. Investing in leadership development is key to creating a motivated and engaged workforce.
4. Foster a Strong Company Culture: A cohesive company culture, where shared values and goals are clearly communicated, significantly impacts employee engagement and retention. The report highlights that strong company culture is the #1 driver of effective management and low turnover.
5. Create Flexible and Hybrid Work Models: Hybrid workplaces have proven to be the most engaging work model, with employees who split their time between office and remote settings reporting higher engagement. Offering flexibility in work arrangements can greatly boost employee satisfaction.

?? You might be interested in:

This episode covered so many important topics, here's an additional resource for you to dive a bit deeper:

• Get proven ROI at every stage with the all-together hiring platform.
• HR in 2025: Insights & Predictions
• (Start for FREE) Get instant answers to any HR questions with the world's AI copilot for HR
• A recent episode of the HR Leaders podcast covering "What Every CHRO Needs to Know in 2024". Check it out below ?

?? We couldn't do it without you!

Thank you to Paaras Parker for sharing her time, expertise, and vision with our listeners.

Also our episode and series sponsor, Greenhouse and their brilliant team Daniel Chait , Carin Van Vuuren (she/her) , Trenton Kenagy , and Robin Cornuelle and Kelsey Bernert at Daybreak Studio .

None of this would be possible without Shane Kemp James Elwell Rio André , Kenneth Browne and the team at HR Leaders and atlas copilot for bringing the podcast to life.

Thank you to our previous guests: Luke Wynne, Jon Stross, Larry Emond, Tony Buffum, Jennifer Moore, Matthew Hamilton, Debra Corey, Kalifa Oliver, Jeff Cates, Keith Sonderling, Jacob Morgan, Scott Domann, Jack Houghton, and many more.

?? Join us at our next event:

1. How To Use Talent Intelligence To Build a Dynamic Workforce Strategy - 10 October
2. Global Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Summit - 16 October
3. HR Leaders Innovation Roundtable at Merck - 21 October

P.S. If you like the HR Leaders podcast, help us grow the show by rating us on Apple or Spotify ??, or share this with a friend or colleague ??.