How to Reduce Staff Turnover in Small Business (Without Pay Rises)

Many small business owners believe the only way to keep great staff is to offer bigger pay rises, but HR in small business is far more human than that. Retention is deeply influenced by how supported, valued, and trusted your people feel day to day. In this episode, Amy shares practical ways to strengthen engagement so your team chooses to stay.

Amy explores the real reasons people stay in a business and why retention is rarely just about salary. Drawing on industry data and years of HR experience, she breaks down simple, people-first strategies that help small businesses create workplaces where staff feel connected, recognised, and supported. These insights will help you improve retention without increasing costs.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why strong retention relies more on culture, clarity, and connection than pay
• How to use recognition and two-way feedback to build trust and engagement
• What flexible, trust-based work arrangements look like in practice for small business
• How to align growth and purpose so that employees feel motivated to stay
• Leadership shifts that make the biggest difference to reducing turnover

Keeping great employees doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few intentional changes, you can create a workplace where people feel valued and want to stay long term. Amy’s guidance will help you build confidence as a leader and ensure your HR practices genuinely support the people who keep your business running.

Resources & Links
– Explore The HR Link: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/the-hr-...
– Get in touch for a Free Call with Amy to see how people-first HR can support your small business: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/contact
– Get The People First Performance Pack: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...

Free HR resources for small business owners:
• Employee Engagement Checklist: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...
• Guide to Managing Underperformance: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...
• Contracts Checklist https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...
• 7 HR Steps to Hiring a Superstar https://www.groundedhr.com.au/grab-th...

👉 Follow The HR Link on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and subscribe on YouTube, so you never miss an episode.

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Why Staff Stay Beyond Pay
02:40 - Strategy 1: Recognition and Feedback
04:29 - Strategy 2: Flexible, Trust-Based Work Arrangements
07:35 - Strategy 3: Growth and Purpose
09:15 - Real-World Examples of Retention Strategies
10:23 - Leadership Tips to Improve Retention

About The HR Link: People-First Conversations
The HR Link: People-First Conversations is the podcast for Australian business owners who want to manage their teams with clarity, care, and confidence. Hosted by Amy Christopherson, founder of Grounded HR, each episode brings you short, practical conversations that simplify HR and centre the humans inside your business.
Whether you’re hiring your first employee, navigating team challenges, or just want to make sure you’re “doing it right,” this podcast will give you the tools and reassurance you need.

New episodes are released fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7am. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.

Connect with Grounded HR
– Website: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/
– Instagram:   / groundedhr.au  
– Grounded HR LinkedIn:   / groundedhr  
– Amy’s LinkedIn:   / amy-christopherson-au  
– Facebook:   / groundedhr.au  
– YouTube:    / @groundedhr  
– Explore The HR Link, your HR Partner in Your Pocket: https://www.groundedhr.com.au/the-hr-...

Disclaimer
The HR Link: People-First Conversations is here to share people-first insights and education, not legal advice. Every business is unique, so we encourage you to seek tailored guidance for your own circumstances.