5 Tips to Stop the Turnover of Your Casual Workers

Many businesses rely on a pool of casual workers to help them manage busy periods and seasonal demands. Sometimes they call on them when they need particular expertise which is not available within their current team. It’s an economical solution for many Australian creatives and entrepreneurs because they don’t have to pay a full-time wage, superannuation and other expenses which are associated with full-time employees.

While it’s great to have a pool of useful people on call, the downside is losing them to permanent or higher paid work. It means you lose your responsive workforce and need to go through the recruitment and training process all over again.

So what can you do to retain these experienced workers? Start by following these tips.

Build a relationship

They aren’t robots there for your convenience. They are people and the stronger the relationship you build with them, the more reliable and loyal they’ll be. Casual workers often feel ‘disposable’ which explains why so many look for other employment. Get to know them and speak with them regularly. Show them they are valued.

Give them new opportunities

Full-time opportunities arise from time to time. Why not offer it to your casual workers? They are experienced and have already proven their abilities. But more than this, casual workers want to improve themselves, too. Give them the chance to step up. When they’ve been with you for a while, they’ll know how to do their jobs and the jobs around them, including the team leader’s role. Who’s on hand to fill a short-term vacancy in a different or more senior role? An experienced casual. The hours might not work, but for most casuals, the chance to step up is well worth the change to their working hours.

Use an online roster system

A big problem area which causes casuals to leave is communicating the roster, especially if their shifts vary. When your casual doesn’t turn up for work because nobody told him/her about the change to the roster, it’s bad for you both. An online system means everyone can see who’s working and when. You might also consider letting the people have some control over their shifts by using a system which allows them to show their availability.

Reward them

Often casuals do more than is required of them, including more difficult work or finishing off work left incomplete by your full-time employees. Rewarding performance is a great way to encourage a repeat of it. Consider offering a bonus in the weekly pay packet, a special gift on their work anniversary or regular hours instead of random shifts. Remember, though, that casuals are eligible to ask for permanent employment if they work regular hours for more than a year.

Include them

There’s nothing worse than missing out on the fun stuff, especially when you’ve worked hard every shift, so don’t forget to invite your casual workers to team Christmas parties, send-offs, and special events. Make them feel like they belong, and they’re part of the team, because they certainly are.

Casual workers keep many businesses running smoothly. If yours is one of them, be sure you show your appreciation. It’s the best way to stop them from moving on.