Labour shortages, high turnover, and poor staff retention are critical challenges that compromise service quality in businesses by leading to understaffing and overburdening remaining employees. This often results in burnout and exacerbates the turnover problem, threatening the sustainability of the sector.
The Property Services (Private Security, Industrial Cleaning) and Personal Services (Hair & Beauty) sectors face significant labour shortages and high turnover rates. Between 2020-2022, UNI Europa engaged in the EU-funded RETAIN project to address these issues, resulting in sectoral reports, videos, and recommendations. The project’s findings have been widely cited and have contributed to improving UNI Europa’s capacity in labour intensive sectors.
Despite these efforts, gaps remain. The Industrial Cleaning sector could benefit from promoting daytime cleaning, while the Private Security sector needs to address public procurement practices to improve job stability and career prospects of workers. The Personal Services sector, particularly Hair & Beauty, faces challenges linked to occupational health and safety that impact labour retention.
The RETAIN II project aligns with the European Commission’s action plan on skills and labour shortages presented at the Val Duchesse Social Partners Summit 2024. By focusing on improving working conditions and enhancing collective bargaining, RETAIN II aims to mitigate the adverse effects of labour shortages and turnover.
The RETAIN II project will enhance cooperation and social dialogue among EU sectoral social partners. In using skills and labour shortages as its starting point RETAIN II, will assist social partners in devising medium and long-term policies to the benefit of workers and society at large.
For more information please contact Mark Bergfeld, Director Property Services & Care.
For more information visit our Care page.
This project is supported by the European Commission.