News and features

Fri, 6 May 2011

Development opportunities 'boost retention rates at Asda'

Providing workers with development opportunities and plenty of possibilities for progression within the company has helped boost staff retention rates at Asda, the supermarket has claimed.

The retailer revealed that staff retention levels are currently at the highest they have ever been.

Asda's retail people director Sarah Dickins told Personnel Today the company is performing well at the moment and that this has contributed to the large number of staff opting to stay with the firm.

"There are many development opportunities for our people. That's what's driving our retention rates. A lot of store managers start as colleagues [on the shop floor]. There's clear development and progression," she commented.

Ms Dickins added that Asda works hard to keep lines of communication open and to ensure that employees are listened to.

She said this is done to help improve the business and flag up areas in need of work.

Some 67,000 employees with the company have been working there for more than five years, which was ten per cent more than the year before, according to recent figures from the firm.

The data also revealed that retention rates have been steadily rising since 2002, with less than one-fifth of the workforce leaving each year.

Last month, Andrew Edge, human resources director for contractor Apollo Group, told Construction News that communication and training are vital for staff retention.

He said companies that provide existing employees with opportunities for advancement and development would also see more members of staff staying within the organisation.

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