TMS Asia-Pacific CEO, Andrew Chan has cautioned hospitality and tourism industry employees they must continue to address the employee attachment factor from day one if they are to keep employees engaged – and ultimately on the pay roll – as the ‘war for talent’ continues to impact on the sector.

Mr Chan’s comments follow the recent release of an Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) report which found poor staff engagement has now become a major issue facing all employers.

According to the EIU report senior management believe ‘disengaged employees’ are one of the biggest threats facing their business.

Yet almost half (43 per cent) of board directors admit that engagement issues, such as staff motivation, identification with the company goals or willingness to "go the extra mile" are “occasionally”, “rarely” or “never” discussed at board level.

And only 12 per cent report that their companies “regularly and often” tackle staff with “continually low engagement”.

“There can be no doubt about it - employee engagement has become a critical factor in today’s business environment,” Mr Chan said.

“An ‘engaged employee’ is one who is fully involved in and enthusiastic about their career and as a result works hard to build on their employer’s interests.

“’ Disengaged staffers simply do not hang around.

“Unless the sector is able to implement the systems it needs to motivate, engage and ultimately, retain its employees it will continue to suffer especially against other industries with the capacity to offer higher wages and other benefits.

 “While it is encouraging to see more and more industry employers instilling initiatives to alleviate the retention issue – work-place friendly flexible work alternatives, financial incentives, etc – they would have even great chance of success as part of an overall staff engagement strategy implemented when an employee first starts with a company.

“As opposed to leaving it too late,” he said.

Mr Chan said that invariably this is what happens when employers realise they have unhappy employees but by that time, it probably is already too late and its highly unlikely employees will stay.

“The sad thing is that it’s not just about losing a member of staff.

‘This affects other staff, productivity, the company’s ability to deliver, and ultimately, the bottom line.

“Addressing the employee attachment factor from day one is essential at all levels of business if employers are to succeed in holding on to their staff.”