Company culture named top factor for retaining staff, survey says

Asked about their biggest current challenge as a business, 79% cited issues around recruitment and retention.

Hospitality leaders from more than 30 brands representing more than an estimated 200 sites ranked company culture as the top factor for staff retention, according to a survey from MAPAL Group.

The solutions provider said 58% of respondents ranked company culture as a top factor followed by progression (53%), work-life balance (49%) and salary (46%). 

68% said that their staff turnover had ‘somewhat’ increased since 2019, with 39% going further to say it had ‘greatly’ increased.

Asked about their biggest current challenge as a business, 79% cited issues around recruitment and retention, with 19% also highlighting training and development as part of the same issue.

75% per cent stated that they plan to enhance learning and development initiatives over the next 12 months and 51% said they were planning to launch coaching and mentoring programmes.

“Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed a noticeable shift in focus throughout the sector towards learning, development and wellbeing,” MAPAL Group chief learning officer James McLuckie said.

“With a smaller pool of talent to draw from, staff training and development are taking centre stage, alongside initiatives to promote more flexible working hours and greater job satisfaction, as companies strive to retain and develop the talent they already have.”