Edited from Canadian HR Reporter April, 2002

Recruitment

• Ask employees for names of people they loved working with at previous jobs. Find out if those people want to work with you.

• Pair up with similar companies and start job-share programs. This offers employees variety and a chance to get experience at more than one company. It also helps fill what otherwise would be part-time positions.

• Offer internships to high school or college students, with cash incentives if they join you after graduation.

• Offer on-site child care and advertise it in your job postings.

• Create hiring teams in which a few key employees can participate in job interviews with candidates. This gives you valuable feedback and shows that you value your employees' opinions.

• When checking an applicant's job references, ask the person you are checking with if they themselves have considered making a job change.

Retention

• Provide ongoing career planning for employees. They often leave their jobs because they feel they're at a dead end.

• Encourage creativity by setting up a "rubber room" for brainstorming sessions. Include lava lamps, beanbag chairs and Slinkies.

• Create a quiet room where employees can go if they want to rest, meditate or nap.

• Pay a monthly stipend to employees who commute by public transportation.

• Offer domestic-partner benefits.

• Treat employees to holiday parties and picnics. Include spouses whenever possible, and have the president or CEO publicly thank the spouses.

• If you don't have a lot of money to spend on perks, give away movie passes. Let employees go to the movies on company time.

• Give a random day off.