Why You Should Career Map With Your Hourly Employees

Let’s get with the times

It’s no secret that hourly workforces have been hit hard by COVID-19. The economic hardships that have come as a result of the global pandemic will continue for some time.

Industries like restaurant, retail, manufacturing, and transportation have all been impacted in one way or another.

With companies cutting thousands of jobs and closing down multiple locations, the future is a big question mark for hourly employees.

This uncertainty is something managers want to avoid; pandemic or not.

When employees can see a future with a company, their workplace satisfaction increases and productivity improves. This, in turn, has a positive impact on employee retention.

One of the best ways to do this is through career mapping.

Can we get a recap on what that is exactly?

Career mapping is a straightforward process. It just takes a little time.

The practice consists of a meeting or series of meetings between an employer and an employee. In these meetings, career goals should be freely discussed and the pair should work to create a plan on how the employee will achieve these goals.

This plan will lay out the necessary steps an individual needs to take to get from point A to point B.

This is something every manager should be doing with their hourly staff. Considering the turnover rates within these hourly workforces, it’s helpful to know what your workforce wants from their careers (read more about hourly turnover here).

A helpful tip.

Integrate employee development with this practice.

It is not enough to simply map out their career. The organization must also help them develop and meet their goals together.

So, what are the benefits?

We wouldn’t be recommending this course of action if it wasn’t beneficial.

Of course, the process is beneficial to the employee, allowing them to grow professionally and gain a sense of job security.

There are also many benefits to the employer:

1. Improved employee retention

A lack of career development opportunities has been observed as a top reason an employee may leave a workforce. Career mapping addresses this.

As briefly discussed above, when an employee can see a future and how they will get to that point, their workplace satisfaction increases.

This sense of security and a solidified plan for development translates to a higher likelihood of staying.

And of course, this unlocks all the benefits of improved tenure.

2. Attractive workplace

Beyond retaining your existing talent, successful career mapping will attract new talent. If, of course, you show this practice through your branded materials.

A company that is known for career development opportunities will attract ambitious top talent.

Think of some of the top employer brands in North America.

All of these organizations do an excellent job of; 1. Developing their existing employees 2. Advertising the opportunity to learn and grow within the company.

These practices are a key component of their talent acquisition and retention success.

Some places you can be sharing these stories:

• Your website/career site
• Your social profiles
• Your PR initiatives
• Your Glassdoor profile

3. Increased performance among workforce

As indicated above, integrating a development program with the mapping process is the most effective way to create a lucrative initiative.

The reason for this is your employees will be growing within your organization.

When you show employees where they can be and then help them get to that point, less outside hiring will need to take place. This of course benefits company culture, but also provides a better return on talent.

With your workforce learning and growing their performance will improve. Whether that be in their current role or a new role.

A developed talent pool will bring you success and contribute more to the bottom line!

Hourly workforces are skill incubators

Attracting and retaining employees in hourly positions is a difficult proposition.

Career mapping addresses this in one of the most lucrative workforce management processes.

By allowing hourly employees to grow and develop their skillset, and by laying out what skills they are learning, benefit is delivered to both employer and employee. Additionally, an individualized approach (achieved through one-on-one mapping processes) creates a valued workplace relationship.

It can be difficult to visualize how one position impacts your overall career.

The career mapping process brings security and satisfaction to the hourly workforce. It changes how you manage your employees, and brings great benefit to both your acquisition and retention efforts.

To take control of your retention management process today, reach out to deepND. Connect with us at brianna@deepnd.io.