The Secret to Retention: What Makes Employees Stay
Retention Strategies That Work: What Really Keeps Employees Happy
Retaining top talent has never been more important, or more challenging. While competitive pay remains essential, the most successful organizations know that compensation alone won’t keep great employees around.
This month, we’re diving into Retention Strategies That Work—the tools, conversations, and cultural shifts that help employees feel truly valued.
What Really Keeps Employees?
It’s not always the paycheck. According to recent research, employees are far more likely to stay when they feel:
Seen and heard by their leaders
Challenged and growing in their roles
Aligned with the company’s values and mission
Trusted and flexible in how and when they work
Use Stay Interviews-Before It’s Too Late
Stay interviews are one of the most underused (and powerful) tools in your retention toolkit.
They give managers the chance to ask:
What keeps you here?
What might make you leave?
How can we better support your goals?
Best practice: Schedule stay interviews with high-performing team members before they start disengaging or job-hunting. Keep it informal, consistent, and actionable.
Promote from Within with Purpose
Internal mobility fuels retention. When employees see a path forward, they’re more likely to stay engaged—and stay put.
Best practices for internal mobility:
Advertise internal openings first
Create mentorship and cross-training programs
Encourage lateral movement to build skills
Map out clear career paths within your org chart
When you invest in growth, employees invest in your company.
Let’s Build a Workplace People Want to Stay In
At HRBuffalo, we partner with organizations to design retention strategies that go beyond salary. From leadership training to internal talent development, we’re here to help your team thrive—long-term.
To learn more about how HRBuffalo's services, please visit us at www.hrbuffalo.com. We look forward to hearing from you!