In light of the constantly changing labor landscape, McLean & Company, a global HR research and advisory firm, has released a new industry resource titled “Job Shadowing Guide.” The guide identifies job shadowing as an effective strategy for organizations looking to enhance talent acquisition and retention amidst ongoing HR challenges.
The primary reason employees leave organizations, as found in the firm’s research, is the lack of career advancement opportunities. McLean & Company’s guide suggests that job shadowing can significantly impact employee retention by offering opportunities for onboarding, career development, and skill sharing at various stages of the employee lifecycle.
Defined as the practice where employees, known as job shadowers, observe experienced colleagues, or job hosts, to learn about different roles, job shadowing serves as a dual-benefit mechanism enhancing both employee engagement and productivity. However, the guide emphasizes that for job shadowing to be effective, it must be well-integrated into the organization’s unique framework, providing value not only to the shadowers and hosts but to the organization as a whole.
Rachel Stewart, Associate Vice President of HR Research & Advisory Services at McLean & Company, notes, “When job shadowing programs are implemented correctly, they bring additional benefits beyond employee retention, such as increased productivity and skill development.” Stewart also highlights the importance of designing these programs to facilitate effective learning and engage suitable participants, acknowledging the potential challenges like the transfer of negative habits or temporary productivity dips.
The guide also offers practical steps for HR leaders to establish and maintain successful job shadowing programs, including goal setting, participant selection, and feedback collection for continuous improvement. McLean & Company insists that sustained effort and coordination are vital to the success of job shadowing initiatives and that such investments in employee development can result in significant benefits for everyone involved.
With the comprehensive breakdown provided in the “Job Shadowing Guide,” McLean & Company aims to assist HR professionals in leveraging job shadowing as a tool for not only enhancing employee retention but also fostering an environment of continuous learning and development.
