Current Employer Training Program Performance Scorecard EFFECTIVENESS
I don't learn anything new
1
2
3
4
5
6%
17%
31%
32%
14%
Teaches me things I didn't know before
SPECIALIZATION
One size fits all
1
2
3
4
5
25%
22%
25%
20%
9%
Personalized for me
More employees claimed that when they receive training, it teaches them new things. However, nearly half feel that the support isn't customized, following a "one size fits all" approach instead.
Likelihood to Continue Working for Current Employer and in the Retail/Grocery Industry
Extremely/very likely
Extremely/very likely
55%
55%
Somewhat likely
Somewhat likely
27%
30%
Not at all/Not very likely
19% Stay With Employer (Next 2-3 Years)
Not at all/Not very likely
15% Stay in Retail/ Grocery Industry
Despite the uncertainties of what a post-pandemic workplace and job market will look like, more than half of workers are highly likely to continue working for their current employer and, consequently, will remain in the grocery or retail industry for the foreseeable future. Source: Axonify/Progressive Grocer
tive training method, while just under half expect self-guided to be highly effective. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that only 55% have participated in online self-guided methods, so this is likely due in part to lower familiarity. When given the opportunity to redesign their employer’s training program, respondents said that retailers should focus on more hands-on and one-on-one support, as well as improved communication and consideration for different methods. “For my particular position, I would institute more hands-on training,” one respondent said. “I would have a coach — a manager or someone well versed in the position — act out various situations the new employee might have to deal with.”
Communications should also be at the forefront. “I think there needs to be better communication throughout all departments,” another respondent said. “For example, I work in the coffee shop in my grocery store, and I feel like other departments don’t really understand us or care about us as much. I think managers throughout the grocery store need to have an understanding of how the coffee shop runs and do a better job at staffing us.” Across nearly all metrics, the subgroups that expressed more negative training perceptions and experiences tend to be female, Generation Z, parttime, and work at midsize to large operators, and at mass or dollar stores.
Post-Pandemic Workers
Most respondents agreed that employers have taken steps to keep staff and customers safe during the COVID crisis. Compared with Axonify’s summer 2020 workforce survey, workers agreed slightly more that employers are taking actions to keep customers and staff safe during the pandemic, as well as providing timely information to employees. Around 79% said that their employer has taken action to keep their customers safe through this crisis, 75% said that their employer has taken action to keep staff safe through this crisis, 69% said that their employer has provided timely information about its response to the pandemic, 67% said that they feel safe working for their employer in the current environment, and 65% believe that their employer can handle any future crisis/issue because of how it has responded to the pandemic. There’s even more positive news: More than half of respondents (55%) said that they’re highly likely to continue working for their current employer and will remain in the grocery or retail industry for the foreseeable future, despite uncertainties over what the “new normal” will look like. This research was derived from a survey conducted by EnsembleIQ Research Solutions and sponsored by Axonify between March 10 and April 1, surveying 754 respondents who work on the front lines at food retail businesses. PROGRESSIVE GROCER May 2021
87