Creating cohorts of newcomers as they join a company and undergo training together can reduce turnover and improve team stability, according to new research in the Journal of General Management.
Generation Z workers, in particular, could benefit from cohort cohesion since 65% leave their jobs within the first year, according to researchers at the University of South Florida and the University of Cincinnati.
“Our findings highlight the need for strategic cohort management to improve retention,” Amit Chauradia, an assistant professor at the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, said in a statement. “If companies listen to employee location preferences during the hiring process and foster a positive cohort experience, it’s likely they can reduce turnover risks.”
In a survey of 650 new employees from 32 cohorts at a global IT services firm, a “contagion effect” emerged in cohorts. When members of the cohort engaged in job-seeking behaviors, newcomers were more likely to do the same and ultimately leave their job.
Notably, social connections within a cohort can either anchor a newcomer to a company or hasten their departure, the authors wrote. They challenged companies to rethink how they manage their cohorts — by focusing on them as social groups rather than just collections of workers.
The researchers said leaders and hiring managers can better help newcomers feel like they’re a meaningful part of the organization — and increase retention — by focusing on creating strong cohort dynamics, as well as prioritizing workers’ geographic preferences during the hiring process.
Fostering feelings of belonging and a sense of purpose can be particularly helpful for Gen Z workers, who are struggling to fit into the workplace, experts told HR Dive. They recommend an onboarding process of 12-18 months that can include elements like shadowing and upskilling, they said.
Employers are working hard to hire and retain Gen Z workers, according to an analysis from Deel. Despite the challenges that early career hires face in adjusting to the workplace, they bring skills that companies need, including in emerging technologies and a focus on learning and development.
