Many employees will be making a New Year’s resolution to find a new job in the coming year. However, losing employees can be very costly for employers.

“It is estimated that around 60 percent of employees are either actively or passively searching for a new job, or they are being approached by other companies who want to ‘poach’ them for their own team. But, on average, replacing a salaried employee costs about $15,000 per employee,” says Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment trends expert. “Hence, it is by far much more cost-effective to make sure that your employees are well-trained, well-managed and content with their positions.”

So how can managers and employers ensure that their staff are happy and engaged with their work?

Consider Unique Benefits. A recent study found that employees prefer a heftier benefits package opposed to higher pay. There are many benefits which today’s employees are looking for, including whether you match a 401k, what is the value of the paid time off offered, along with medical, dental, vision and life insurance,” says Wilson. “We work with firms which offer pet insurance, which might sound funny, but it is actually a major item of interest for interested applicants. Most Americans have pets and consider them part of their family, so offering insurance for these critters can go a long way in showing that you are a compassionate and concerned employer.”       Wilson also says that companies should also consider offering tuition reimbursement plans, or paying a small amount each month towards the employees’ student loans. “Today’s young people are coming out of college with massive debt,” says Wilson. “And firms which are dedicated to paying off these loans alongside their team will be a top contender.”

Use Anonymous Surveys. “Technology has made anonymous workplace surveys easier than ever before,” says Wilson. “With the help of online survey sites, you can regularly interview employees about their happiness at their job, as well as how effectively they feel they are being managed and any complaints they may have about how their experience at your company. This is beneficial for two reasons: It will help you discover hidden problems in your firm and it will help your employees to feel heard and valued as individuals.” 

Give Back to the Community. “A study from Benevity, Inc. has found that when companies participate in philanthropic efforts, their likelihood of retaining employees increases,” says Rob Wilson. “In fact, when employees are actively involved in their company’s charity efforts, they are 57 percent less likely to jump ship.”

Make On-Boarding a Customizable Experience. “On-boarding is a crucial part of bringing new employees onto your team, and a successful on-boarding process can help ensure that employees stick around for the long haul,” says Wilson. “But not everyone learns the same way, which means that not everyone should be trained the same way. Offer a variety of different training methods to help allow employees to choose the best method for them.” 

Write—Don’t Email— a Thank You Note. “A study performed by AttaCoin has found that 47 percent of employees say that they do not feel appreciated by their employer. And only 41 percent of employees felt that their managers effectively reward staff members who do a stellar job. Feeling unappreciated might sound like a minor complaint, but in fact, research shows that when employee efforts are not acknowledged, workers become disengaged and easily go off task. They also require more compensation for the same work, as they seek financial appreciation when emotional appreciation is unavailable.“When thanking your employees, try to do so in a way that is personal and intimate. A handwritten note can feel much more meaningful than a quick email,” adds Wilson.