Talent Doesn’t Stay Where It’s Not Respected.

Talent Doesn’t Stay Where It’s Not Respected: Build Cultures That Match Your Hiring Hype

In today’s competitive and fluid job market, attracting great talent is only half the battle. The real challenge? Creating a workplace culture that lives up to the expectations set during recruitment.

The Disconnect Between Hype and Reality

Employers often present an idealised version of their workplace—collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented. But when the day-to-day experience doesn’t match that narrative, top talent won’t hesitate to walk away.

According to the Inter-American Development Bank (2023), voluntary turnover rates in Latin America hover between 24% and 44% annually, with up to 70% of those employees moving straight into new jobs. Similarly, studies in the Caribbean have shown a consistent pattern of early-stage attrition, especially among younger professionals and knowledge workers.

In Jamaica, the National Employee Engagement Report revealed that over 60% of employees who left their jobs cited workplace culture misalignment as the key factor.

Culture Is a Talent Retention Strategy

Poor leadership, unaddressed bias, micromanagement, and a lack of employee voice are some of the silent killers of workplace loyalty. These aren’t just "HR problems"—they are business risks.

Dr. Noel Cowell, a respected Caribbean HR academic, puts it plainly:
"If organisations don't listen, adapt, and show respect, the best people will leave—and they'll tell others why."

In their 2022 report, McKinsey & Company noted that employees who feel respected at work are 55% more engaged and 89% more likely to recommend their company to others.

What Can Employers Do?

To move beyond hiring hype:

• Conduct a culture audit and ask employees for honest feedback.

• Ensure leadership is trained in inclusive and people-first management.

• Align values with policies—don’t just say it, live it.

• Communicate clearly and act on feedback.

• Build trust through consistency and accountability.

Creating an honest, respectful, and evolving workplace culture is no longer optional. Talent will go where it feels seen, heard, and valued.

The talent you fought to attract won’t stay where they feel sidelined. Build the kind of culture that makes them want to build with you.

References
[1] Inter-American Development Bank. (2023). Labor Market Trends in Latin America and the Caribbean.
[2] National Employee Engagement Report, Jamaica (2022).
[3] McKinsey & Company. (2022). The State of Employee Experience.