Staying or Leaving? Overcoming the Challenge of Retaining Overseas Staff

We've worked with many New Zealand employers and recruitment specialists over the years, and the number one challenge they've raised countless times is how to retain their best overseas staff (and local too, but that’s a story for another post). The main issue is offering incentives for people to stay, especially top performers in their team.

The decision to stay (or leave) often centres around three major factors: salary and job opportunity, to earn more and progress in their careers. For migrants, there's the additional (and very important) question of a residence visa. Can they gain residence in New Zealand with their employment?

If you're a New Zealand employer with overseas staff that you hope to keep in your team, we've found that the best approach is maintaining transparent communication from the start.

Before offering an overseas candidate a job offer, establish whether or not they wish to gain residence in New Zealand. Understanding their long-term goals can help you plan ahead for your obligations as an employer and ensure that they do not have unrealistic expectations. Are you prepared to support their residence, or can you provide them with a pathway towards residence?

Find out what their career progression looks like to them. Do they wish to move into a more senior or specialist role in the future? What does their timeframe look like? Establishing goals from the start can help you determine what additional training or exposure to parts of the business they'll need to move into those roles.

Offering a competitive salary package. It's particularly important for foreign staff to be paid salaries that meet current market rates for their specific job, as defined by Immigration New Zealand criteria and requirements, and New Zealand employment law. Establishing salary expectations for current and future roles within the company can help you and your staff member determine if you're on the same wavelength and avoid disappointment.

Creating a safe and respectful work environment. Unfortunately, we have heard one too many stories of foreign team members being exploited and treated unfairly and disrespectfully by their New Zealand employer and/or colleagues. Ensuring they're treated respectfully and given every chance to become familiar with their New Zealand work environment and how we do things can help them settle in smoothly.

Finding the right staff is not just important; it's essential for your business's success. However, retaining these talented individuals comes with its own unique challenges. Based on our extensive observations and clients' experiences, we believe setting clear expectations and fostering open communication are key. This proactive approach empowers both parties to envision a successful future together, ensuring alignment on employment goals and visa considerations.