HRMT20024 Essay: Challenges in Staff Retention in Education

This essay analyzes the critical challenges and strategies for attracting and retaining employees in the education sector. It explores various factors, including compensation disparities, lack of opportunities, and the impact of technology and changing workforce demographics. The essay examines how effective leadership, recognition programs, competitive compensation packages, flexible work schedules, fostering teamwork, and clear communication can improve employee morale and retention. It emphasizes the importance of adapting to the changing business environment and incorporating strategies to address employee needs and interests, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall success of educational institutions. The essay also emphasizes the importance of adapting to the changing business environment and incorporating strategies to address employee needs and interests, ultimately aiming to enhance the overall success of educational institutions.

Running head: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Human Resource Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Introduction
Over the last few years, it can be seen that the attraction and retention of employees
have become a major issue that is affecting the growth of the different institutions in the
educational sector. In the current scenario of the business environment, the major challenge is
retention of the employees as there are different reasons such as lack of opportunities and
change is the other major challenge that is affecting the process negatively. The education
industry is the vast kind of sector which includes the different courses and other services
related to the professors. In such field, the loyal as well as long-term relationships play a vital
role which is required to be thrived in the education sector (Ugoani, 2016).
Thus, in such kind of scenarios, the retention of employees plays a vigorous role and
the new members who are joining the different departments in the education sector needs to
be encouraged in the same manner who will be capable of serving the ever-growing aspects.
The essay throws light on identifying the different factors in attracting and retaining the staffs
in the education sector. In addition, the different strategies are required to be analysed which
will be implemented in order to improve the situation and gain competitiveness in the market.
Discussion
Challenges in Attracting and Retaining Employees in Education Sector
From ancient time, the education sector plays a dynamic role in the growth of the
entire economy and the same trend continues in the present scenario as it is considered to be
the critical part. As commented by Sumbal et al. (2017), the education sector is capable of
bringing changes as per the needs and wants of the society. In the present scenario of the
business environment, there is high level of equality between men and women employees and
the education for women is the most critical factor that needs to be incorporated by the
different educational institutions which will be helpful in improving the position of the

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society and provide the different aspects which will be leading to the successful growth of the
country.
In addition, according to Sarmad et al. (2016), the education provides the knowledge
of the world which is around us and changes it into something which will be providing the
different individuals with better perspective towards life. Moreover, as opined by Özçelik
(2015), it is helpful in building opinions and have point of views on things in life. However,
in such kind of scenarios, there is huge problem which is cropping up for attracting and
retention of the employees negatively.
As commented by Neog and Barua (2015), the main issue which is being noticed is
the compensation packages which is being offered to the diverse employees. The different
employees seek the equitable kind of pay for the different tasks which are being performed
by them. However, the female professors who are working in different institutions are getting
paid less for the similar kind of tasks achieved by them as the male employees. Therefore, the
monetary dissatisfaction is the main and crucial element which needs to be identified and
analyzed as it affects the performance of employees and it impacts the tasks which are being
performed by them (Naim & Lenka, 2018).
Due to the inequality which is being followed in various institutions, the retention of
employees is becoming a big challenge for the education sector institutions. In such
scenarios, the different companies need to take care properly for the different needs and
interests of the male and female colleagues in the equal manner which will be improving their
morale and it will be allowing them in performing well.
Secondly, in the current scenario, as commented by Kumar and Mathimaran (2017),
there is no such dearth of opportunities which will be stopping the people in looking for a
change is the other big challenge which impacts the growth of the company negatively. Every

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institution in the educational sector tries their best for hiring employees from the different
kinds of competitors and provide lucrative type of packages for attracting them. As
commented by Khalid, Pahi and Ahmed (2016), employees become greedy for money and
higher position that impacts the present job opportunities which is influencing the efficiency
negatively. In such scenario, no amount of proper counselling can be helpful in retaining
employees and it becomes the biggest challenge in attracting and retaining such employees
who are valuable for the success of the company.
Moreover, as commented by Kernbach, Eppler and Bresciani (2015), in the
educational sector, different chances of getting bored with the kind of tasks which are being
performed by diverse group of employees. Therefore, in such scenarios, it can be seen that
some of the individuals have the tendency in getting bored which impacts their performance
and it impacts the overall performance of the educational institutions. As opined by
Johennesse and Chou (2017), the education related tasks may be felt monotonous that is
affecting their performance and they start looking for change in the same field.
In addition, as commented by Humphreys et al. (2017), the technology is the other
factor which makes it easier for the different individuals in instantly finding the job as well as
apply for the different new job-related opportunities. It can be seen that the changing
workforce is the most appropriate aspect which needs to be analyzed as it causes problems in
retaining problems negatively. As opined by Haider et al. (2015), the different millennials in
the present scenario has become the largest generation in workforce and they prefer to change
their jobs on a regular basis and they are expected to stay in job for less than three years. In
the education sector, the different younger workers historically have lower rate of tenures and
they are willing to bounce from one job to other within a less span of time.

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The main problem which has been seen that younger generations tend to job-hop
more than the different older workers as the means to the quicker career related advancement.
It is the main aspect which is causing problems in retaining and attracting talents in a suitable
manner. As opined by Robinson et al. (2015), there are different issues related to
communication that is cropping up presently in the different companies in the education
sector which affects the morale of the employees and they are leaving the jobs. It is no secret
that the communication is necessary for the different employers in achieving the recruiting
and retention goals in the organization. In many educational institutions, it can be seen that
there is closed kind of communication between employees and employers which affects the
motivation related aspects.
In addition, the different individuals who feel that they are not being unappreciated
seeks the self-acknowledgement elsewhere. In the different educational institutions, it has
been seen that the retaining of the employees becomes a major problem that is affecting their
morale and it affects the growth of the employees in a negative manner. As commented by
Cloutier et al. (2015), there is no inclusion of interactive sessions with the staffs working in
the schools or universities which is impacting their morale and it affects the entire
productivity of the company negatively.
From the analysis of the challenges in attracting and retaining the employees in the
company, it can be seen that there are different strategies which needs to be implemented as it
will be helpful in improving the growth of the companies and it will be suitable in improving
the task performance of employees in the different companies in the education sector.
As commented by Chowhan, Pries and Mann (2017), the different employees play a
crucial role in handling the reputation of the company and the behaviour of the employers
towards their employees is essential which is effective in creating brand equity and gain

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identity of the company. Firstly, as commented by Bhattacharya (2015), the effective
leadership is the major and crucial aspect which needs to be incorporated by the institutions
as the effective leaders can motivate the employees and increase their efficiency which will
be suitable in improving their morale which will motivate them in performing well and gain
competitive advantage.
Through proper motivation, it can be enhancing the moral related values of
employees and it will be effective in improving the sense of loyalty of employees towards the
tasks which are performed by them in an increasing manner. It results in retention of the
employees in the company that will be leading to the success of the educational institutions
successfully. The recognition program for diverse group of employees play a vital role and
can create significant impact on the retaining of the top performers in the companies
(Albrecht et al., 2015). In the different universities or the colleges, it can be seen that there
can be risk analysis which will be helpful for the employers in identifying employees who are
the top performers and can pose the retention risk.
In such scenarios, the organizations such as universities and schools can take on the
analysis for developing the promotion or the fast-track program with employees in mind.
There can be rewards and recognition programs which needs to be incorporated by the
institutions which will be effective in maintaining their morale and improve the growth of the
institutions appropriately. In addition, there should be proper and equal packages related to
compensation as they seek the equitable kind of compensation package that will be helpful in
managing their effectiveness (Al Mamun and Hasan, 2017). There can be offering of the
flexible schedules for performing the work in the company which will be suitable for them in
ensuring that the different employees are well-prepared for the tasks to be performed
appropriately.

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There should be fostering of proper teamwork is the other element which needs to be
incorporated by the companies as to improve their morale and gain competitive advantage.
The teamwork is always effective and efficient in nature that will be suitable for increasing
the profitability and revenue generation of the company. As commented by Akhtar et al.
(2015), when the different employees work in a team, it is necessary for them for exchange
knowledge with one another that will be fostering the teamwork and it can be effective in
making the right organizational decisions. It will be encouraging the different employees in
sharing their ideas which will be suitable for them in gaining the organizational objectives
suitably. The different team related objectives, duties along with organizational goals are
discussed among the employees which will be enhancing understanding of employees
(Ahmad, 2015). The disciplined as well as the managed kind of workplace can be suitable in
retaining the different employees appropriately and improve the effectiveness in a particular
manner.
In the current scenario of the educational environment, it can be seen that the
educational sector is changing in a constant manner wherein the business-related strategies
are ever-changing and it is required to be modified on the regular type of interval for coping
up with the change appropriately. The changes may not be suitable for the employees in all
times, however, in such scenario, the communication is the key element which needs to be
incorporated by the management of schools or universities which will enhance their
understanding towards the requirement of the change and gain competitive advantage. As
commented by Aguenza and Som (2018), the different employees need to be aware regarding
the different alterations or modifications along with their consequences. In addition, the
queries as well as the doubts of the different employees has to be clarified by the
management officials which will be becoming the reason for retention of the employees.

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There can be incorporation of recognition and rewards program as when the
employees working in different educational institutions try their best in achieving the goals of
the company and not being rewarded. As opined by Kundu and Gahlawat (2016), the
educational institution is changing in a fast manner in the current scenario and due to the
same, it is required for the organization to become more strategic for retaining employees.
Appreciation makes the employees feel that they are essential for the respective company and
recognition and rewards can be given to different employees for the hard work which is being
given by them for achieving the goals and generate high level of productivity in the market.
Moreover, it will be suitable for enhancing the relationship between the higher-level officials
along with employees and the rewards can be both financial and non-financial as it will be
helping them to feel motivated and gain more competitiveness (Scott, 2016).
As commented by Radford and Chapman (2015), there is extreme level of work
pressure put on the employees which affects the work-life balance. The healthy type of work
life can be helpful in enhancing their morale and it will be suitable for them in showcasing
their skills and gain competitive advantage in the respective field. There should be a certain
level of empathy shown to employees by their employers and the higher authority needs to
encourage the employees for going on vacations or there can be annual parties organized by
management teams of the institutions for providing them the high level of flexibility and the
employees will not be overstressed. Moreover, the hours of the duty of the employees should
be flexible and it will be helpful for the companies in attracting and retaining the clients in an
efficient manner.
Conclusion
In the education sector, it can be seen that the scenario is changing at a very fast pace
which is creating pressure on employees and the job requirements are being changed and the

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employees are shifting from one place to another within a span of some months. In such
scenario, the turnover of the employees has become a crucial issue which is affecting the
growth of the company and it becomes the indication of the respective fact that the structure
of the company needs and requires proper modification. The retention of employees has
become a huge problem that is affecting the efficiency of the company and it affects the
growth of the company and employees negatively. In such scenarios, there is requirement of
the proper training and other development programs which will be effective in managing the
strategic initiatives.
The turnover of the employees in the educational sector has been affecting the
profitability and revenue generation of the company that is impacting the well-being. In such
scenarios, there are various kinds of strategies which needs to be implemented as it will be
helpful for improving the scenario and make the employees aware regarding their proper
responsibilities. There can be inclusion of the proper work life balance for employees through
maintaining and building reputation of the company. Attractive kind of employee
compensation and appreciate their hard work helps in refining the effectiveness of employees
and educational institutions. There can be proper rewards and recognition that needs to be
included in the program for making the employees feel that they are special and their
opinions are being valued. There can be inclusion of training and development programs
which will be helpful for dealing with unpleasant changes and communication can become
the key element which needs to be incorporated by the educational institutions as it will be
efficient in improving the growth prospects and it will be suitable for the success of the
company in a successful manner.

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