IS YOUR EMPLOYEE TRAINING LIKE A FRATERNITY HELL WEEK?

Reflecting on my college days, I think back to my fraternity's Hell Week and the shared experiences with friends in different fraternities. While it wasn't exactly "hell," it certainly posed its challenges, mixed with some fun, and a fair share of verbal abuse and hazing. I remember how the older members would reminisce about it afterward, boasting comments like, "It made a man out of me!" or "You guys had it easy compared to what I went through." It's reminiscent of those classic tales from parents and grandparents, claiming they walked five miles to school in a blizzard just to get an education. You know the drill!

I thought about this in the context of new employee training in many companies I've advised and experienced.....and some of the comments hearken back to some of those fraternity Hell Week observations! Here is a sample:

• A supervisor overseeing Food Sample Demonstrators chuckled condescendingly and dismissively, claiming she never received any training herself.

• Similarly, another supervisor in charge of tax preparers lamented about the challenges of the past, insisting that their learning curve was steeper and more demanding. 'We had it much tougher and there was much less time to learn it..."

• While modern training methods, including online resources and Zoom sessions, are available, they often lack opportunities for interaction, leaving new hires with unanswered questions. Managers may promise a chance for inquiries during onboarding, but they frequently focus on checklist items instead, dismissing concerns with a casual, "You'll be fine," and a reminder to rely on soft skills, which often translates to a "...fake it, till ya' make it" approach.

• In fast-paced jobs, required online training courses often go uncompleted due to time constraints, leaving newcomers unprepared and frustrated when they struggle with tasks.

• Lastly, organizations that skip formal one-on-one coaching tend to correct mistakes harshly, leading to a culture of fear rather than constructive feedback, as new employees face criticism instead of supportive guidance.

So what is the result?

Yes, a lack of training significantly contributes to high employee turnover. Multiple studies and HR reports consistently show that inadequate, poor-quality, or absent training leads to frustration, disengagement, lower performance, and ultimately, employees leaving for better opportunities.
Additionally, more malicious employees or just highly hen-pecked and frustrated staffers may engage in forms of silent sabotage, if quitting is not an option! Doing just enough to get by, not offering helpful suggestions or insight, having a lethargic or lackadaisical attitude and /or not raising information about critical errors or engaging in pilferage!
Employees who feel ill-equipped for their roles due to insufficient training often experience stress, reduced confidence, and a sense that their employer doesn't invest in their success. This frequently results in them seeking positions elsewhere where growth and development are prioritized.
Key evidence includes:

• Research indicates that 40% of employees who receive poor or inadequate job training leave their positions within the first year.
• 94% of employees report they would stay longer at a company that invests in their learning and development (commonly cited from LinkedIn Workplace Learning Reports).
• Organizations with strong training see higher retention; conversely, poor onboarding or skill development is linked to higher turnover rates (e.g., in manufacturing or general workforce studies).
• Career development and professional growth opportunities (which include training) rank as the top driver of turnover in recent analyses (e.g., Work Institute reports for 2024–2025), often outranking pay or other factors.
• SHRM and Gallup findings reinforce that employees are more likely to stay when offered continuous, relevant training—76% of workers say they're more likely to remain with companies providing it.

So, the bottom line is.......do you want to share tales of "how tough I had it" or do you want employees to add value to your business, provide excellent, well-informed, and hosptiable customer service to your customers, and ultimately making your business more profitable. Treat well-trained employees to be part of your strategic advantage!

*Some content used under Fair Use Rules of the US Copyright Law from Grok AI.