[ management memo ] BY MARCIA O’CONNOR
RETAINING QUALIFIED STAFF IN AN EMPLOYER’S MARKET Instilling a sense of value and purpose in FM work at the office
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any organizations have been experiencing labour shortages due to leave of absence, sicknesses, early retirement, and job changes. COVID-19 has also challenged facility professionals with adhering to protocols and safety measures, dealing with constant shifts and the opening and closing of the economy—all of which are impacting managing the facility. 16
We all want to retain and employ well-qualified staff and create a strong and healthy work culture within our FM departments. But how can we also develop a high-performance team that will stay in the company? How do you keep your FM team engaged and committed amidst a labour shortage when other companies are actively recruiting qualified candidates to join their workforce and leaving gaps in your FM operations?
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Instill a sense of value and purpose in FM work at the office and develop strategies to maintain this purpose is important. The most important ingredient in maintaining highperformance staff is knowing how healthy the company’s culture is.You will recruit and retain valued team members when the purpose of your company addresses its culture within. Impactful and meaningful company action attracts and retains professionals that are interested in playing an active role, not only in the inner workings of the company, but brands the product and services your company provides. If your office culture has a shared purpose with strong values and goals, it will develop strong meaningful relationships within internal and external stakeholders. This will carry forth to your customers. Here is a list of ideas to help maintain and motivate your current FM team • Regularly review company values; the challenges and transformations. • Encourage collaboration, trust, camaraderie, and connections, thus empowering your team to make necessary decisions should challenges arise. • Recognize successes. • Open lines of communication with feedback will maintain motivation, positive reinforcement, interest, and cooperation and provide room for discussion on the team’s standards and accountability. • Set up collective goals and performance evaluations. • Offer discussions about any changes or challenges. • Acknowledge health and wellbeing practices at home and/or the office environment. • Detect early possibilities of conflict and
