Having the right staff helps a chiropractic practice function like a well-oiled machine. When employees fill their expected roles, doctors are free to do what they do: serve patients. But the streamlined process gets bumpy when an employee suddenly quits. Try these tips to reduce employee turnover and avoid disruptions.
Do Things Right From the Start
Your employees are likely people you already know or count among your family. They’re great people but may not be the most skilled. Plan on providing extra training on effectively using your chiropractic billing software. According to NCMIC, training good employees for your chiropractic office starts on day one and should be ongoing.
Make Work a Good Place to Be
When your employees are friends and family, it can be tough to find the balance between fairness and being respected. Being fair and honest with your employees will help them respect you. Maintain consistent rules, but be willing to bend them when necessary.
Create an Atmosphere of Belonging and Inclusion
Any office staff is prone to developing cliques, which can leave some employees feeling excluded. Occasional functions, such as employee luncheons or group outings (to local sporting events or seminars), can boost employee morale and make everyone feel like they’re on the same team.
Avoid the appearance of favoritism by making sure unpleasant tasks don’t always fall on the same employee. Address any overheard or reported bullying quickly.
Provide Professional Growth Opportunities
One common reason for employee turnover is boredom with tasks. When you see good employees doing well with the tasks they have, let them take on additional roles or provide them extra training. Regular communication and observation of their performance can help you discover new opportunities to keep them interested and engaged.
Allow for a Healthy Work/Life Balance
Many chiropractic practices have extended hours of operation. Help your employees avoid burnout by not expecting them to work long days without a break. Consider hiring more employees and alternating part-time schedules to divide coverage. Allow for occasional time off, and offer flexible schedules to whatever degree you can.
Reward Employees for Outstanding Behavior
Everyone wants to be noticed and appreciated for a job well done. Occasionally reward your employees for outstanding behavior with little treats, like a nominal gift card or a couple hours off work. Small acts of recognition can go a long way.
When you get the right team in place, you want to do everything you can to retain them. Using smart strategies can make staff shake-ups a rare occurrence.