Not-for-profit organisations have always struggled with recruiting ‘top talent’, as their limited resources make it difficult to compete with other industries’ offers and opportunities. This issue is especially potent, as COVID-19 has hindered organisations’ ability to offer attractive salaries and benefits due to declining government funding.
Here is how your organisation can attract and retain high calibre staff and not lose people to the higher paying corporate market:
Provide a Strong Mission
Organisations that articulate, embody, and practice their purpose and mission have a much more likely chance of appealing to candidates. If people are passionate about the cause and activity of the organisation, they are more willing to sacrifice a higher salary.
Have a supportive and flexible work environment
Differentiation is key for Not-For-Profit organisations to compete with other industries, so through offering a supportive and flexible environment they can gain a clear advantage. This can include:
- Offering flexible working hours
- Encouraging health and wellbeing activities throughout the day
- Better distributing workload
Promote taxation benefits
Many Charities and Not-For-Profits are able to offer their team members Salary Packaging advantages. This means the ability to allocate a portion of your take home pay to pay defined expenses before income tax is calculated. Therefore your income tax is calculated on a lower base and reduced accordingly.
Organisations in this sector need to promote this great incentive as part of their remuneration, so communicating to potential hires, the positive fiscal effect of working for a NFP or Charity.
Professional development or career opportunities
Candidates will be much more attracted to, and much more likely to stay, with organisations that are committed to developing and improving their employees and providing career advancement opportunities. This will help attract those ambitious candidates; helping employees feel secure and appreciated. Such activities can include:
- Providing continuous training programs
- Offering employees a mentor
- Succession planning
- Recruiting internally before externally
Overall, it is important that you position your organisation as a unique, meaningful place to work with a variety of benefits to entice candidates.
Important Note: These articles have been prepared for general circulation and are circulated for general informational purposes only; these articles should not be regarded as business or investment advice. The articles represent the views of the writers and are subject to change without notice. Additionally, while every care has been taken in the preparation of the articles no representation or warranty as to accuracy or completeness of any statement is given. An individual or organisation should, before any business or investment decision is made, consider the appropriateness of the information in this document, and seek professional advice, having regard to objectives, situation and needs. This document is solely for the use of the party to whom it is provided.