EMPLOYEE TURNOVER

In some respects, the lower the personnel turnover in a department, the better. Employee stability and high productivity often go together. But frequent personnel turnover is a fact of life. No matter how effective you become as a supervisor, now and then a key employee will shock you with a resignation. A promotion or lateral move that is good for the firm can create a problem for the supervisor.

Mary was pleased that management had selected Carla to supervise a newly created department. It was a high compliment to Mary, who had trained Carla as her assistant. But the decision would mean screening, employing, and training a replacement. Other factors were involved. Which of her current staff could best fill Carla's shoes? Would now be a good time to reorganize the entire department? How could she turn the vacancy into an advantage?

Personnel changes present major challenges to all supervisors—challenges that must be approached with sound planning and vision.