Retention is cost effective. When it comes to recruiting a diverse workplace, the buzz word is that it is easy to recruit people of color, but it is difficult to retain them. Finding ways to retain them (a) reduces turnover costs, (b) avoids losing a reputation as genuinely interested in a diverse workplace, and (c) maintains trust in the organization. The following are ways to retain diverse employees.

1. Identify retention saboteurs in your organization.

2. Change inflexible policies.

3. Manage negative behaviors

4. Give diverse employees the support needed to succeed

5. Build flexibility into benefits

6. Make career advancement fair, open, and accessible.

7. Confront double standards.

8. Avoid raising “red flags” by referring to measures as affirmative action or quotas.

9. Conduct exit interviews and take steps needed to deal with reasons for leaving.

10. Conduct focus groups with current diverse employees to find out what keeps them from leaving, and learn about what might lure them away.

Based in part on: Gardenswartz, Lee, and Anita Rowe. “Re-recruiting Your Key People” Cultural Diversity at Work 9:6 (July 1997) 1, 14-15.