Aims to dscribe the key factors – attracting the right people, developing them and retaining them – which have helped the UK Central Office of Information (COI) to win a place in…
Abstract
Purpose
Aims to dscribe the key factors – attracting the right people, developing them and retaining them – which have helped the UK Central Office of Information (COI) to win a place in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list three years running and to secure Investors in People status for the sixth time.
Design/methodology/approach
Gives the inside story, by the COI human‐resources director, of recruitment, training and employee retention in the organization.
Findings
Stresses the importance of: working closely with the organization's public relations department; providing secondments, specialist training and personal‐development programs; and keeping people fresh and interested.
Practical implications
Argues that low employee turnover is both a blessing and a curse: few people choose to leave the COI, but this has a drastic effect on promotion opportunities, which eventually affect retention.
Originality/value
Takes a very practical approach to strategic human resource management.