One of the biggest challenges that forensic laboratories face is hiring and retaining great employees. The loss of one person has a domino effect on the operations of the laboratory and has a direct impact on the departments they serve. This presentation outlines some of the ways that the Mesa Forensic Services Laboratory and the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory Division have been able to hire and retain great employees.
The presentation will explore four major aspects of employee hiring and retention – effective and efficient hiring, employee retention, laboratory culture, and succession planning in preparation for retirements. The Mesa Forensic Services Laboratory has been successful in creating a sustainable “circle of lab life” which creates a healthy process of hiring, retention, culture, and retirement. While every laboratory is different, this presentation will introduce the philosophy behind the way Mesa views this normal process of employee hiring and attrition.
Topics under hiring will be on recruitment, on-boarding, and interns/volunteers. Topics for retention will include promotional opportunities, employee development, social activities, benefits, staffing levels and communication. Topics for culture will discuss employee values, data driven decision making, process improvement, lab director focus, and customer service. Finally, topics for succession planning include preparing for retirements and pre-hiring for cross-over training. Tune in to learn more!
Detailed Learning Objectives
- Attendees will learn employee recruitment, hiring, and on-boarding ideas.
- Attendees will learn about employee retention and succession planning.
- Attendees will learn about the need for a strong culture development.