Staff retention in food worst for 15 years, says new survey

Food and drink employers are finding it harder than ever to keep hold of their staff, despite a rise in the frequency and value of bonus payments, according to the latest National Management Salary Survey.

The survey, which was conducted by Remuneration Economics for the Chartered Management Institute and has been running for more than 30 years, claims 45% of food and drink employers are experiencing retention problems - the worst reported figure for 15 years.

Asked why staff moved on, almost two-thirds of food and drink employers questioned cited competition from other organisations, although a high percentage (45%) admitted that a lack of training and opportunity for career progression was also to blame.

Mary Chapman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, said: “Many organisations admit that they fail to provide adequate development initiatives, even though it is a major reason for people leaving. If employers are serious about reversing the current recruitment and retention trend, they must address this issue and develop incentives that suit employees’ needs.”

Salaries for all managers in food and drink rose by 4.7% in the year to January 31, 2005, against a national average of 4.3%, claims the survey.