Let's Stay Together

With employee loyalty sinking to new lows year after year, chief information officers are pulling out all the stops to make sure they retain their very best workers, according to a new poll conducted by Robert Half Technology, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based research firm. In a poll of more than 1, 400 CIOs from a random sample of U.S. firms, 63 percent said they're providing additional professional development training opportunities to retain their best people, while 47 percent are offering flexible schedules and 41 percent are increasing base compensation.

"As the number of job opportunities for IT professionals increases, many CIOs are making retention a top priority," said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology."Firms recognize that technology workers, in particular, value ongoing educational opportunities to enable them to keep their skills current and continue learning on the job."

Lee added that effective retention programs also address work-life balance. "Offering flexible schedules and telecommuting options is a cost-effective way to improve overall job satisfaction, show appreciation and build loyalty." —J.K.

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