LEVEL OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AT ABC TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS COMPANY: BASIS FOR EMPLOYEE RETENTION STRATEGIES

The chosen technology solutions company is facing a dilemma about employees leaving the company; hence they are experiencing low retention rates. In 2023, their attrition rate was at 14.9% and most of the employees leaving the company are IT specialists and software engineers. This study determined the level of employee reaction to the existing retention strategies of the subject firm based on the three engagement factors which are achievement, camaraderie and equity. The research employed an opinion-based research method through a researcher-made questionnaire. The survey was conducted with 82 employee respondents. The percentage of employee reactions were measured and assessed, and they provided a strong insight into the areas that needed improvement. Under each engagement factor, the elements which received most of the negative employee reactions were the focus of strategy enhancement. For the ‘achievement’ factor, respondents answered that initiatives for training and learning opportunities (35%) must be improved. In terms of ‘camaraderie’ factor, open interaction with colleagues from different teams (12%) garnered the highest negative employee reactions. This implies that various activities must be organized to meet peers inside the workplace and there must be better communication between departments or teams as this is beneficial for both productivity and customer experience. In connection with ‘equity’, providing variable pay (38%) got mostly negative employee reactions. The employees who completed the survey indicated that performance bonuses or commissions should also be given to employees who were below managerial level. This approach will reinforce the sense of accomplishment for individual contributors or team members. The retention strategy enhancement recommendations included customized training opportunities for different levels of the workforce as well as training needs assessment to close skill gaps, provision of variable pay for all positions and communication programs to improve connection and collaboration of departments or teams. Aside from that, a general recommendation for adapting a data-driven HR model was also provided. These proposed interventions aimed at helping to improve the employee retention strategies, which will result in higher engagement levels and better employee retention rates.