Create an ideal environment for your employees

Hiring and retaining employees is an important part of owning and operating a retail jewelry store. That task, however, has become more of a challenge for jewelers. Job-hopping and career-switching are increasingly commonplace, as top performing workers look for greener occupational pastures at the expense of company and family loyalties.

In addition, research by the Employment Policy Foundation suggests a labor shortage approaching, particularly in service industries such as retail, despite a dip in the U.S. economy. There are not enough Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers to replace retiring Baby Boomers and to fill new jobs that will be created in the coming years. The result of all this, as forecast by the Employment Policy Foundation, is an expected shortage of over 4.6 million workers.

These facts underscore the importance of developing a successful hiring and retention strategy. Such a strategy must begin with a critical analysis of your store environment, as it relates to employee morale and job satisfaction. Finding and keeping good employees begins with becoming the best employer you can be. An ideal workplace should offer every employee:

° A balanced, secure, and supportive environment

° Self-empowerment

° A sense of participation in decision-making

° Performance-based rewards

° Open sharing of information

° A supervisor who listens and acts on suggestions

° Opportunities for ongoing education

° Opportunities for increased responsibility

° Encouragement to try new things

° Encouragement to contribute to the greater good

° Appreciation for a job well done

If you devote the time and attention necessary to making your employees feel they are successful and valuable, you may even overhear them say to their friends, “I love my job!”

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