ON GIVING BACK AND HIRING IN COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
Q: What can businesses do to give back to the community in 2019?
A: Giving back can be very valuable and not necessarily in the form of monetary or material donations. In 2019, we would suggest making it a goal of your business to create opportunities to include those with challenges to employment. Providing a job to individuals with disabilities or other challenges allows your business the opportunity to give a hand up instead of a hand out; making a meaningful impact on the community and Oklahoma’s workforce. This can be incredibly rewarding to both your business and those you employ.
Q: Oklahoma’s unemployment rate is at its lowest since 2008. How can business owners widen their search for positions?
A: Open your hiring search to organizations that provide employment training services to individuals with disabilities and other challenges to being employed. Organizations like Goodwill provide assessment and planning, job placement, retention and stabilization as well as vocational preparation to meet employee’s needs. By hiring these candidates, your business can support the community while receiving applicants specifically trained to perform job tasks to your business expectations and quality standards.
Q: How can businesses increase employee retention in a highly competitive work climate?
A: Oftentimes, employees can lose sight of where their careers are headed, causing them to look for opportunities outside their current employers. Creating a career path for employees provides clear direction, eliminates distractions and encourages accountability. With a clear path, fellow employees are able to be intentional with their goals. Another important aspect is ensuring employees are properly trained in the skills required for their job and understand expectations by providing career navigators that facilitate this important process to help individuals reach their highest level of self-sufficiency.