They're Leaving Us!

My boss and coworker had an interesting discussion about a particular topic that is impacted by what I do - turnover.  We have unusually high turnover at our workplace, and it is such an issue that we need to come up with action plans on how to address this issue - and most importantly, we need to fix it.  Why does a wellness person like me take interest in turnover?
1.  Turnover, in most cases, speaks directly to engaged vs. disengaged employees http://www.gallup.com/consulting/52/Employee-Engagement.aspx (Gallup's perspective of employee engagement)
2.  Employee engagement is impacted largely by their well-being.

The question then becomes - why are our employees disengaged and leaving our business for a "better" job?  There could be plenty of reasons, and it certainly varies from place to place... but here, I have a hunch that people don't find their jobs worthwhile.

You see, in America, there's a war on jobs.  People want to feel like their work has value and that they make a difference, not in the small sense that they make somebody's yard look greener or they fabricate mufflers for a large car company.  No, they want to know that the specific job and tasks they do on a daily basis make a direct impact on how well that company does.  Right now, people only feel that way if a) they are the CEO of a company or b) they make lots of money (which just so happens to be the result of "a").  How do I apply my wellness and well-being knowledge to make these people engaged?
1. Help that employee create an identity within the company.  Make them feel special!
2. Show them the bigger picture.

My team doesn't do fancy stuff and they aren't the glitz and glam of The Company, but their jobs are vitally important to our success and what we do.  My goal will help them realize that what they do is important to me, my boss and everyone else in The Company, and that the success of their individual efforts make our worksite one of the most profitable in the area.

Some of you may ask, "but you're a wellness coach, what are doing with employee engagement?"
Here's what I will say, "show me an individual that is happy with life that is physically fit but hates work, has a poor social network, struggles financially and doesn't get involved in the community, and I will focus solely on getting people physically fit."  People don't do well in life if they pursue perfection in one area of wellbeing and forget about the rest.  Moral of the story: care about the whole person and not just one side of them.  As a wellness coach or program director, you have a unique stance that you know some of your employee's most embarrassing secrets (i.e. their health record).  They trust you with that, they will trust you with their other problems.  Do them a favor and strive to make an impact in their lives and also for your business.   You do that and you will be an indispensable part of The Company.

Cheers to engaged employees!