Is Your Most Prized Employee Leaving?
Signs to watch for to help minimize employee turnover.

by Debra Osborne, APR

Published on BrightLane.com, February 2000

In today's tight labor market, loosing any employee, especially one of your prized pupils, can be devastating. Knowing what signs to watch for can help you reduce turnover, or at least keep you from being shocked by a resignation letter.

1. Sudden lack of complaints. Employees complain, we expect it; sometimes, it's even justified. No job is perfect and if an employee who commonly complains about a certain responsibility or situation suddenly stops - without the problem being solved - it may be a sign that they've decided to leave and are just putting up with it a little longer, knowing the end is near.



2. Increased desire for privacy. Employees who are looking for a new job will seek additional privacy by closing their office door more frequently, or, if they don't have one, using an empty office to make their calls.



3. Increased personal phone calls. Does your employee suddenly seem to be on the phone quite a bit - talking in a hushed tone? What's their body posture? If they are relaxed, it could be a friend; if they are sitting up straight or taking notes, they could be talking to a potential employer.



4. Increased sick days or doctor's appointments. We all have sick days and we all have doctor's appointments. But, does one of your prized employees suddenly seem to be having more of both? These are both easy and often over-looked signs of someone interviewing.



5. Late coming back from lunch. Another option is to interview during the lunch hour. If your employee is suddenly taking longer lunches, or going out for lunch a lot more often then usual, they could be meeting with potential employers.



6. Unexplained happiness. Yes, a dreaded case of cheerfulness. If an employee is suddenly, unexpectedly happy all day, for several days, it may already be too late; they may have already accepted another job.

So what do you do if a prized employee is exhibiting one - or all - of these signs? The best thing to do is to talk with them. Don't accuse them of looking for a job, instead, ask them if they are happy with their job and begin an open and honest discussion of what each of you can do to improve the current situation. It may be a little time consuming - but not nearly as much as sifting through resumes, interviewing, and training a new employee.