Pay Attention To The Employee Life Cycle As A Whole

As organizations strive to improve their bottom line, it is easy to forget that the most important asset they have is their employees. As businesses grow, they often overlook the employee life cycle, which includes all stages of an employee's journey with the organization. Paying attention to the employee life cycle is essential to staff retention, satisfaction, motivation and ultimately, business success.

The employee life cycle begins with attraction, recruitment and selection, moves on to onboarding, orientation and training, and lasts for as long as the employee remains with the company. The ideal is to create a system that works best for your organization which integrates all these stages, and continuously improve the process.

1. Attraction, Recruitment and Selection

This stage sets the foundation of the employee life cycle. It begins with attracting and advertising job vacancies in such a way that it appeals to top-notch talent. Organizations must also have an efficient recruitment and selection process, which not only ensures the right candidate is selected but also gives the organization a competitive edge. The recruiting process should carefully consider the type of candidate desired, including their qualifications, experience, background and future potential.

2. Onboarding, Orientation and Training

After the candidates are successfully selected, the next step is onboarding. It sets up employees for success by allowing them a chance to gain familiarity with their new workplace and to learn the company culture. Orientation programs help new hires understand their job requirements, performance expectations, and critical policies and procedures. Training programs are equally important in helping employees grow and develop the skills they need to succeed in their roles.

3. Performance Management

At this stage of the employee life cycle, employees are expected to be productive and deliver on the company's expectations. Performance management involves setting goals and objectives, providing feedback, and outlining the employee's expectations. Effective performance management includes regular monitoring, feedback, and support so that employees can deliver their best work.

4. Retention and Development

The employee life cycle does not end with the performance management stage. Instead, organizations must focus on developing and retaining their staff. A retention plan must be developed to help identify critical candidates and their future development opportunities. Employee development can help lead to promotions, and this gesture can help motivate employees to grow within the organization.

5. Separation

Sometimes, an employee leaves an organization. It's important to view separation as a part of the employee life cycle, too. If necessary, ensure that the organization has a proper exit plan. The process will ensure that the employee leaves on a good note, as well as providing employers with an opportunity to obtain feedback from the departing employee.

Implementing an effective employee life cycle ensures that organizations attract top talent, develop the skills of their employees, improve retention rates, and maintain a competitive edge. With a focus on the employee life cycle, organizations can create a positive, supportive work environment that fosters staff happiness and engagement, and ultimately leads to business success.

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