by Gordon Hamilton

Created on: June 29, 2009

A big part of the function of any Human Resources department is its remit for attracting and retaining talented employees. It is the employees who are at the core of any company and therefore its failure or success and naturally, talented employees could very well be the ones which make the difference and the distinction in this respect.

The first major factor for any Human Resources department in attracting talented employees is naturally going to be the salary and benefits package which they can offer the individuals. This is not always something which the Human Resources department will have direct or at least absolute control over so the way in which they present the overall package may be the secret. They have to be able to focus the potential employee's attentions on the overall package, covering everything from salary, to working conditions, to longer term benefits, if they are to convince them of the benefits of working for their company. They also have to convince them that they will have the freedom of making valuable input where applicable to the decision making processes within the company and that they are not going to be subjected to almost regimental rules, regulations and restrictions.

When the individual has been attracted to the company and successfully installed in position, the Human Resources department will know a large part of the responsibility for retaining the talented employee. They will in the first instance have to ensure that promises made beforehand are kept but they will also have to ensure that any developing concerns which the talented employee may have from time to time are addressed in a timely and efficient fashion. This naturally does not mean that they bow down to any and all demands made by the talented employee but they have to be shown to be listening to and considering any and all valid concerns raised at all times.

Attracting and retaining talented employees is almost akin to a juggling act for a Human Resources department. Their first loyalty is of course to the company whom they represent but equally, attracting and retaining talented employees is one of their principal duties for that company. The most important skill required in this sense is therefore the ability to manage people and if not actually always give them what they want, always be seen to be attempting to do so to the best of their abilities and above all to be seen to care about not only the talented employees but all employees and their overall welfare and job satisfaction at all times.

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