How to Retain Employees: 5 Tips to Stop Your Employee from Leaving in the First 90 Days

Employee packing up desk because he quit.

Hiring and training a new employee is expensive and time consuming. To help improve employee retention and prevent having to hire as often, invest in each member of your staff during their first 90 days. Check out these five tips to make a lasting impression and encourage your new team member to stay with your company long after they’ve finished employee onboarding.

1. Encourage ideas

Your new team member may have a unique perspective because of their background, skills, and previous experience. From day one, encourage them to share their opinions and ideas with you. They may offer a suggestion that improves your processes and helps your small business grow.

2. Increase responsibility

Steadily increase your new employee’s workload, so that they’re able to handle every aspect of their role by the end of their first three months. You may have them supervise larger projects, work more directly with your customers, or collaborate with their coworkers on their own ideas. If you hired this worker to manage other employees, encourage them to start taking the lead and shaping the future of their department.

3. Send a self-assessment

Near the end of their first few months, ask your new hire to evaluate themselves. They can share their triumphs and frustrations and let you know where they still need a little more guidance or training. Through their self-assessment, you’ll be able to see if they’re beginning to align themselves with your company’s overall goals.

4. Hold a performance review

After they’ve completed their self-assessment, hold an informal performance review. This will give you a chance to celebrate their achievements and nip any potential problems in the bud.

You can also spend part of the review discussing the employee’s onboarding experience and ask them questions like

  • How does this role compare to your initial expectations?
  • Who was the most helpful during your training?
  • Who has been the most welcoming member of the team?
  • Where would you like to see yourself go within the company from here?

By discussing their expectations and experiences so far, you’ll be able to make sure you’re on the same page, and you can start determining next steps to increase their effectiveness or to advance in the business.

5. Put goals into writing

After the performance review, ask your new team member to write down their goals for the year. By writing their objectives, your employee will be more likely to succeed, and you can make sure their work is actively contributing to goals. You’ll also be able to use these as a benchmark during the staff member’s formal performance review.

An effective onboarding process can help your new hire buy into your company’s mission and vision, so they want to stay with your small business for a long time. Learn how to increase employee retention after onboarding.

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