Today we are going to talk about the important topic of retention and why it is critical for employers and Workampers alike.

This week, I’m joined by Jody Anderson Duquette, the owner of Workamper News. Jody has been part of the Workamper community for many years.

She has been helping employers and Workampers to build stronger relationships and create positive experiences in seasonal and part-time jobs.

In our conversation, Jody shared valuable insights about why communication and relationship-building are so important between Workampers and employers.

That’s especially true in the weeks and months between hiring and the actual start date.

She explained that many Workampers line up jobs five to 12 months in advance, which leaves plenty of time for employers to strengthen connections before anyone arrives on site.

For employers, every returning Workamper means less time and money spent recruiting and training new people.

For Workampers, returning to a trusted employer reduces uncertainty and creates a sense of belonging in a community they already know, and creates comfort regarding a system for which they are already familiar.

Jody’s perspective shows that building strong communication systems isn’t just about logistics. It’s also about creating a culture of trust, familiarity and excitement that benefits everyone.

As she explained, retention is critical for Workampers and employers. Some of the top takeaways from this conversation include:

• Consistent communication matters. Employers who check in regularly, even with something as simple as a text or a holiday greeting, help build trust and keep Workampers engaged.
• Relationships are the foundation of success. Beyond pay and location, Workampers often remember the friendships and sense of family they develop with employers and coworkers.
• Beginning orientation before arrival saves time. Sharing handbooks, training materials or even short videos in advance helps Workampers to hit the ground running.
• Small gestures go a long way. Sending a brochure from the local chamber of commerce, a picture of the Workamper’s assigned RV site or a short welcome video can help reduce anxiety and build excitement.
• Referrals multiply success. Happy Workampers often bring friends or recommend an employer to others, creating a stronger applicant pool in future seasons.

Strong communication before, during and after a season helps identify problems early, manage expectations and build the kind of loyalty that keeps Workampers coming back.

When employers put in the effort to connect, whether through simple texts, mailed welcome packets or scheduled check-ins, they create a foundation of trust that encourages Workampers to honor commitments and return for future seasons.

Employers who focus on retention by nurturing those relationships will enjoy smoother operations, happier teams and a reputation that draws the best Workampers year after year.

More information is available for employers and Workampers alike on the Workamper.com website.

Why not take a few minutes today to connect with your future employers and Workampers to start building those important relationships?

Today’s episode is brought to you by Workamper News. Since 1987, they’ve been helping businesses of all types find and recruit Workampers. Workampers serve in a variety of positions around the country to help further the mission of great businesses.

When you become an employer member at Workamper.com, you’ll have access to resources and support to help you develop and implement your Workamper recruiting strategy.

In today’s market, it is more challenging than ever to keep a flow of applicants coming in. Workamper News recommends advertising your current and future Workamper job openings frequently throughout the year, as well as scheduling some time to regularly search the Workamper Resume Database because new Workampers are joining daily.

Workampers like to plan many months ahead, so NOW is the time to take action to begin developing your Workamper team. Learn more and download our quick-start guide for employers at www.workamper.com/employer.

That’s all for this week’s show. Next time, I will be speaking with another employer who is looking for Workampers next spring. I will have that interview on the next episode of The Workamper Show.

Thanks for listening, and if you like these interviews, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.