Employee turnover is one of the most costly issues that plagues employers. Replacing an employee is expensive, and it can disrupt an otherwise productive work environment. A lot of work has been put into figuring out ways to reduce turnover. A 2009 study, for example, found that increased managerial training could drastically cut down on employee turnover in just one year. The methodology used in this study also measured employee satisfaction and found it increased right alongside the improved retention rate. Those measurements would appear self-evidently linked. Happy employees don’t leave they jobs, after all. Starting from the point that employee training can cut back on turnover, the obvious next question for employers is, “How can I make this more efficient?” It’s a common refrain, and one well worth taking a look at. A 2003 study authored by Joyce Schmeeckle and published in the Journal of Science Education and Technology suggests the answer may lie in online education.
This study, conducted using law enforcement personnel, showed no knowledge loss from online classes as compared to in-class instruction, but with a dramatically cheaper price tag, and in almost half the time. That’s really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential benefits of online employee training. If online courses can effectively replace in class training, which the data seems to suggest, then a plethora of employee programs could be streamlined. Combined with the savings caused by increasing retention, a switch to online courses would cut down costs and free up employees for more productive work hours instead of spending twice as long on an in-person course for the same results. Another example of how online training can improve an employee’s mental health and productivity comes from a 2007 study published in the Journal of Nursing Management. It looked at the effects on assertive before that Japanese nurses saw after taking online training program. The results were both an improvement in the relevant field, and reduced job stress.
The evidence really suggests that online training courses for employee both in managerial positions and not can reap impressive rewards, and much more efficiently than in-class lessons too! All this points to the future of employee training being online. For whatever a business needs, from reducing work stress to improving retention, if there’s not already an online course for that – it sure looks there soon will be.
Written by: Matthew Brandfass