Current offboarding processes not helping skills shortage, research suggests

Experts say issue could partly be solved by focusing on employee exits rather than just hiring struggles

More than two-thirds (71 per cent) of businesses are potentially failing to fill skills shortage vacancies by not having an offboarding process that enables good relations with departing employees, new research by Wiley Edge has found.

Data gathered from 1,500 business leaders and young workers by the training provider revealed that more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of organisations are struggling to replace departing employees as the UK skills shortage continues.

In fact, according to its report, The Hidden Cost of Onboarding Graduate Talent, 22 per cent of employers have issues with getting adequate replacements for leavers, and more than a quarter (26 per cent) regularly have a period of one month or more between an employee leaving and their replacement starting.

With businesses across the UK facing talent attraction and retention problems – for many employers, the so-called ‘Great Resignation’ and skills crisis have been more than just news headlines – Tom Seymour, senior director HR at Wiley Edge, said more focus needed to be on employing potential returners.

“One potential solution to this problem that is often overlooked by employers is the value of boomerang employees. Employees who have left on positive terms may also be more inclined to return to the business at some point in the future, creating a much-needed source of trained talent,” he said.

“Not only can this help businesses to tackle skills gaps, it also means any time and money spent on employees’ training and professional development will continue to be a valuable investment.”