While franchise ownership isn’t the traditional way to start a business for many, it comes with the ability to chart your own course. Assembling a team of professionals to help run your franchise is one of the first steps to reaching practical business-related goals. Fortunately, senior care franchise brands like Homewatch CareGivers® will equip you with the tools and technology to hire a valuable team.
Retaining good home care staff is vital to franchise success and longevity. After all, if you don’t have anyone to perform the necessary daily functions, how can you manage the day-to-day operations? The good news is there are several ways to mitigate turnover issues and retain exemplary employees long-term.
1. Recognize Hard Work
Employee retention begins with recognition. Many people will quit positions because leadership doesn’t recognize hard work. According to a 2019 Employee Engagement Report, employees who don’t feel valued at work are 34% more likely to leave their companies. Moreover, 79% of employees who quit their job said a “lack of appreciation” was significant. As a senior care franchisee, you have to show your staff some love and appreciation if you want to avoid contributing to that statistic.
2. Provide Training
Training is an important concern for many in the workforce. Hiring trainable employees is a critical piece in the success of any business, and many employees will voluntarily leave a job for lack of continued job training. In a 2020 Work Institute study, voluntary employee turnover costs businesses more than $630 billion annually.
When you offer continuing education for staff, it communicates your commitment to investing in your employees. As an in-home care franchise owner, you may have those employees who are content with punching in and out every day. However, you have to provide learning opportunities and professional development for those interested in growing with your business. This is a critical aspect in retaining employees who are in it for the long haul.
3. Encourage Feedback (and Value Input)
Everyone wants their opinion to be valued and know that they are making contributions that help the entire team. According to a Forbes’ article, employees are over four times more likely to feel empowered when their voices are heard. By operating a franchise supported by a larger entity, you have access to programs and support that help you show your staff their importance and value. For example, Homewatch CareGivers offers franchise owners coaching and training to prepare them to lead a successful team and training platforms for ongoing education.
4. Avoid Micromanaging
How often in a position have you been able to concentrate on responsibilities and flourish at a company when you have an employer breathing down your neck? Some people thrive under pressure. Still, when the pressure is constantly mounting because of micromanaging, the entire team can suffer. A Gallup study reported that 75% of employees who voluntarily left jobs did so solely because of a “bad” manager and not the job itself.
New franchise owners in the home care sector aren’t exempt from the pitfalls of unknowingly micromanaging staff. You can avoid being a micromanager by:
- Being a coach and guiding your team by example
- Listening to the opinions and feedback of your employees
- Prioritizing larger aspects of the business instead of focusing on small factors
- Building trust, assuring your team knows you have their backs
Comprehensive Assistance from Homewatch CareGivers is Key
When franchisees succeed, it bodes well for the entire brand. This is why we offer professional and comprehensive support for every franchise operator in our network. You will never be left alone to handle potential staff turnover. In fact, before you begin hiring employees, we have training opportunities for best hiring practices, coaching, and other tools to cultivate your leadership skills and assemble a winning team. We want you to gather a group of people invested in your goals and excited to climb the ladder of success with you.
If you’re interested in learning more about our home care franchise support, fill out the franchise ownership information request form, or call us at (888) 718-5318 today!
