Misleading statistics…

Posted by Steve

January 1, 2009

This is an example of how statistics can be used in the writer's favor, even though they may indicate something else.

Even in Current Economy, Employee Retention Top Concern, Survey Shows

Today’s employers are most worried about hanging on to good employees and bringing in new ones, even in the current economy. When asked about their greatest staffing concern, nearly four out of 10 (39%) senior executives interviewed cited employee retention, while 22% said recruitment. Productivity and employee morale were each named by 17% of respondents. "Many firms are operating with lean teams in which every staff member plays a key role in the business, making retention a greater concern," said Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Human Resources Kit For Dummies&#reg;, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "Companies that lose top performers may not only experience declines in productivity but also incur significant costs in replacing these professionals." Messmer added that within a few specialties, recruiting in-demand skills remains a challenge. "There continues to be a shortage of skilled job candidates for positions such as credit and collections specialists and staff and senior accountants, and companies may not be able to offer generous perks and incentives to attract them." (emphasis mine)

The headline boldly states "Even in Current Economy, Employee Retention Top Concern, Survey Shows." While the headline gives the impression that this is a general employment survey, it's not.

Here's what the article is really addressing: "...recruiting in-demand skills remains a challenge. 'There continues to be a shortage of skilled job candidates for positions such as...'" ? Which is probably always going to be the case, it just depends on the type of skilled job candidate.

To support his/her argument, the writer presents us with some numbers which show, for example, that 39% of senior executives think employee retention is their top staffing concern. Turn that around, and you could say that 61% of senior executives don't think that's their top concern. Likewise, 22% mention recruitment; of whom it doesn't say. I'm assuming that means recruitment of the aforementioned "credit and collections specialists and staff and senior accountants." Again, that means that 78% of those surveyed don't think it's a top concern.

Maybe what the data are really telling us that while employee retention may be a concern of senior executives, it's not the most important thing on their minds. Maybe they're more occupied with things like increasing sales, or decreasing expenses (via layoffs).

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