Presenters to talk about employee retention

Unemployment in Montana is low and many employers have a difficult time finding workers, which is why two employer-training coordinators will give a presentation Sept. 28 at the Havre Inn and Suites that will focus on how employers can retain workers.

The presentation will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the presenters will be Vision West co-owner and training and development coordinator Mark Willmarth and Meagan Lannan, administrator specialist at Job Service in Livingston.

“Montana’s prolonged period of unemployment growth and an aging population has created tight labor markets,” a news release for the event says.

The release says the unemployment rate in Montana sits just more than 4 percent and projected to drop even more.

“If the labor force and employment levels grow as projected, the unemployment rate in Montana is forecasted to fall below 2 percent by 2025,” it says.

And while low unemployment rates makes it easier for people to find jobs, it can also makes it difficult for employers to get and keep the workers they need. Willmarth said his part of the presentation will focus on what kind environment employees want to stay in.

“You can find people, but can you keep them, and keep them happy?” he said.

Lannan’s presentation will focus on how to implement some of what Willmarth will talk about.       

Willmarth said the burden of keeping employees generally falls on the supervisors, as they set the culture.

Willmarth said it comes down to building good, strong relationships with employees. How can employees be kept engaged? How can they be recognized? Are they fulfilled in their jobs?

One example of things employers can do is to find what their employees’ passions are and reward them based on that, little things like giving them movie tickets. Willmarth said. Time off and a flexible schedule, if possible, are also ways to keep employees happy.

While higher wages may get people in the door, Willmarth said, that doesn’t necessarily keep them happy or at the job.

People want to work in a positive and engaging culture, he said.

The cost of the workshop, which includeds lunch, is $40 a person and $20 for each subsequent person for the presentation.