Keep in mind that while we are reducing absenteeism; we are also reducing turnover, if we are creating conditions that inspire employees to come to work. I am proud to say that am batting nearly 1,000 when it comes to retaining personnel. I can count on one hand how many people have quit their position; while they were working for me. I have always treated people with respect. In fact I learned this valuable lesson from my Dad.

When I was in Grade 11 I decided I was going to quit school and get a job. Two of my friends had done it and flaunted their independence and how their circumstances had changed. (By the way; I would never recommend this to anyone. “Stay in school”) I came home one day and told my Mom of my intentions and got back one of those “Wait till your Dad comes home”. Well that night when I went to bed I overheard my Mom crying out “Paul can’t quit school; what will become of him”. My Dad calmly said “Let him quit school” I promise you he’ll beg to go back to school in one week. I heard this and the rebellious side of me said “no way”.

Anyway I quit school the next week and my Dad hired me as a student worker. He was a working Pipe Layer Forman. My Dad wasn’t trying to make it tougher because I was his son. He was a fair man and had me report into someone else to receive an “honest” experience; to truly get the feeling for the job without thinking that he had done anything to sway the decision one way or another. The foreman that I was reporting to gave me the simplest jobs to do. “Clean this”, “move this”, remove this etc. Simple, but non-stop. I could barely get through the day and when I looked over to see my Dad and the others work; I thought “My God” people work like this; day in and day out. Well; at the end of that week; Friday, I was having lunch with some of the other younger workers (I believe they were college students). One of them said: “Hey guys; let’s take off early and party”, another of the students pipes up: “Hey; that wouldn’t be fair to leave Greg shorthanded. Wow; Greg was my Dad and no one knew he was my Dad. I felt 10 feet tall that day.

One of my biggest regrets in life is never telling him how proud I was of him. That was a life lesson. He always treated everyone with respect and that has always been my method of managing and leading. By the way; because I was so rebellious I made it two weeks before begging to quit and go back to school. I have never stopped learning. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad.

Is treating people with respect; the only way to reduce turnover, no but it’s a good start. I will continue to write on the topic and publish the follow up in a couple of weeks.

Excerpt from Paul J. Calleri’s up and coming book on Management Excellence. Paul J. Calleri is a CPA, CMA of Paul J. Calleri, Chartered Professional Accounting, founder of TheGAAP.net and entrepreneur.

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