Since most gas station employees are hourly workers, often juggling rotating shifts or working at multiple locations, building strong lasting relationships can be more difficult than with salaried staff. Additionally, high employee turnover in the gas station industry leads to significant costs for owners due to the need to train new employees. The time and resources spent on recruitment, on-boarding, and training can add up quickly, making retention a critical financial benefit. By focusing on increasing employee morale, you can reduce turnover and cut down on the continuous cycle of training costs. Here are five strategies to help you boost morale and improve retention.
1. Recognize and Reward Hard Work
Increasing employee recognition, as well as having systems in place that actively recognize and provide actionable feedback to your employees, can make a great difference for them and increase their motivation. According to REBR, 2018, 27% of employees admitted that they left work after not feeling recognized.
2. Prioritize the Scheduling Process
For hourly employees, having a predictable work schedule is crucial. Knowing their shifts in advance allows them to better plan their personal lives and reduces unnecessary stress. Unfortunately, many hourly workers face unpredictable scheduling, often being notified with little to no notice. By prioritizing your employees’ time and being mindful of burnout, you can create a more enjoyable and supportive workplace.
3. Provide Training and Upskilling Opportunities
Did you know that 86% of millennials stated they would have stayed at their current job if their managers had provided training and development opportunities? A great industry example is Shell’s IT upskilling program and leadership development initiatives. Providing development programs not only reduces downtime and training costs but also empowers your staff with the skills needed to excel in the industry.
4. Offer Competitive Wages
Paying more than the industry average can enhance morale and retention, improve productivity, and elevate customer service quality. Offering competitive wages helps differentiate you from competitors, attracts higher-quality candidates, and retains current employees, ultimately reducing recruitment and training costs over time.
5. Foster a Safe Work Environment
Creating a friendly, respectful, and inclusive work atmosphere is crucial for employee morale. It’s essential to prioritize safety and support for your employees. Encourage open communication between managers and employees and organize team-building activities or regular check-ins to foster a supportive community. Implement measures to address and mitigate safety risks.
While turnover is an inevitable part of any business, its impact can be minimized through strategic investments in both employee well-being and efficient systems. Prioritizing employee morale with recognition, predictable scheduling, training opportunities, competitive wages, and a safe work environment will not only improve retention but also enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, implementing user-friendly, easy-to-train systems—like Wiz-Tec’s iPOS Point of Sale—can significantly reduce downtime, errors, and training costs. With its intuitive design, new cashiers can be up and running in as little as 15 minutes, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition during staff changes.