How the Right HR Strategy Cut Turnover In Half
Published on by Amy Hehman, Jay Rammes, in Fractional HR & Advisory Services
An unexpected HR departure can leave an organization scrambling. Payroll still needs to run. Benefits still need to be managed. Employees still need support. And while filling the open position may seem like the obvious priority, a transition can also create an opportunity to take a fresh look at how HR is working across the organization.
That outside perspective can uncover opportunities that go well beyond filling a temporary gap.
Stepping in when HR support suddenly disappears
In one client engagement, a longtime HR professional unexpectedly left the organization. Within days, the Barnes Dennig Fractional HR team stepped in to provide interim support across the full spectrum of HR, from strategic guidance to operational and administrative needs.
But keeping HR running was only the beginning.
As the team became more familiar with the organization, they identified opportunities to optimize existing systems and streamline workflows. Disjointed processes were creating unnecessary work, requiring more resources to complete even routine tasks, and increasing the risk of errors.
By examining how the organization was using its systems, where processes could be improved, and whether its HR spending was delivering the expected value, the team helped create a more efficient HR function.
Our team also helped train and coach the organization and identify the type of HR talent it would need going forward. Instead of simply replacing the person who left, the client had an opportunity to build an HR function better suited to its future needs.
Getting to the root cause of turnover
Another client faced a different challenge: persistently high turnover in a critical area of the business.
The impact extended well beyond recruiting: turnover was contributing to poor morale, consuming significant time as the organization continually replaced employees, and disrupting operations.
Rather than assuming compensation was the problem, our Fractional HR team recommended going directly to employees to understand what was driving the turnover.
Through employee listening and facilitated focus groups, the team helped our client create an environment where employees could provide meaningful feedback. That process uncovered opportunities around career pathing, personal and professional development, and management training.
With targeted initiatives put in place to address those concerns, the organization reduced turnover by half.
The value of an outside perspective
HR challenges can be difficult to evaluate from inside an organization, particularly when longstanding processes have simply become “the way we’ve always done it.”
An outside advisor brings a fresh perspective, experience gained from working with other organizations, and a neutral voice that can be especially valuable when gathering employee feedback. Employees may also be more comfortable sharing concerns with an independent third party.
But gathering feedback is only useful when an organization is prepared to act on it. Effective employee listening focuses on asking the right questions, identifying issues leadership can meaningfully address, and translating what employees say into practical recommendations.
HR is a business issue
Whether an organization is dealing with an unexpected departure, inefficient processes, high turnover, or another people-related challenge, the effects rarely stay confined to HR. They can influence productivity, morale, retention, operational efficiency, growth, and ultimately, your bottom line.
Fractional HR support can meet an organization where it is, whether that means stepping in to handle an immediate need, or helping leadership rethink its broader approach to people and processes.
The goal isn’t simply to make HR work better. It’s to make the organization work better.
You might also be interested in our Fractional HR FAQ, packed with answers to the top questions our HR pros hear. Or get the Fractional HR Toolkit, a free download full of resources to help you get the most from your HR strategy. Or explore the full content library of Fractional HR resources – blogs and videos to help you refine your HR strategy and boost your bottom line.
