The Secret to Keeping Top Talent: It’s Not Just About Salary
- Smartcruit x Hewitt
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Well, you already know offering a higher salary isn’t enough to retain top talent. Today employees, especially skilled professionals, are looking for career growth, leadership support, and a workplace culture that aligns with their values.
While many organizations focus on external hiring, they often overlook a crucial factor—retaining their best employees. Losing a key team member doesn’t just mean replacing a role; it often leads to productivity loss, higher recruitment costs, and weakened morale among remaining employees.
Smartcruit’s Observations:
As we are the top 5 recruitment agency in Thailand with over 10,000 placements and 50,000+ candidate interviews, we see a common pattern—candidates don’t always leave because of money. They leave because they don’t see a future within the organization.
Hewitt’s Research Perspective:
Hewitt Consulting’s studies confirm that salary alone doesn’t drive retention—employees prioritize career growth, leadership, flexibility, and culture. Organizations investing in these areas see higher engagement, lower turnover, and stronger performance.
A structured employee experience (EX) strategy boosts retention, productivity, and financial outcomes by ensuring employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
3 Key Strategies to Retain Top Talent Beyond Salary
1) Career Growth & Internal Mobility: Employees Stay Where They See a Future
63% of employees in Thailand consider leaving their jobs within two years if they don’t see a clear career path.
Lack of promotion opportunities leads to disengagement, even among high-performing employees.
Many companies hire externally for leadership roles, overlooking existing talent.
What Smartcruit Sees: We’ve spoken to countless candidates who leave not because they dislike their company, but because they don’t see growth opportunities. Some were star performers who were never considered for promotions, despite their contributions.
Hewitt’s Research-Backed Solution:
Career Growth Frameworks: Establish structured career pathways that provide employees with clear growth opportunities.
Skill-Based Development & Coaching: Invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives, ensuring employees are prepared for future roles within the company.
Internal Talent Pipeline: Commit to filling at least 50% of leadership positions internally through a well-defined succession planning strategy.
2) Leadership & Work Culture: Employees Don’t Leave Companies—They Leave Bad Bosses
70% of employee engagement is directly influenced by their manager. (Source: Hewitt research)
Toxic leadership and lack of support drive employees away, even if the salary is competitive.
Leaders often focus on supervision rather than mentorship, leaving employees feeling undervalued.
What Smartcruit Sees:
We’ve placed mid to senior-level professionals in new roles where the salary was similar to their previous job. The reason? They wanted a better boss. Employees are willing to stay longer in an organization where they feel valued and mentored.
Hewitt’s Research-Backed Solution:
Leadership Development Programs: Equip managers with coaching, mentorship, and communication skills to enhance team engagement.
Continuous Feedback Culture: Implement regular stay interviews, structured check-ins, and real-time feedback loops to proactively address concerns.
Recognition & Employee Appreciation: Establish a culture of acknowledgment and positive reinforcement to drive engagement and loyalty.
3) Work-Life Balance & Flexibility: Employees Stay Where They Feel Respected
41% of Thai employees say they would switch jobs for better work-life balance.
Post-pandemic, employees expect hybrid or remote work options, yet many companies still resist this shift.
Burnout and stress lead to higher turnover, even among high-performing employees.
What Smartcruit Sees:
We’ve noticed a rise in candidates rejecting job offers simply because the company doesn’t offer hybrid or flexible work options. Work-life balance is no longer just a perk—it’s an expectation.
Hewitt’s Research-Backed Solution:
Flexible Work Models: Introduce hybrid models, compressed workweeks, and flexible scheduling to improve retention.
Holistic Well-being Programs: Offer mental health resources, wellness benefits, and stress management initiatives to support employees holistically.
Outcome-Driven Performance Management: Shift from attendance-based evaluation to results-oriented metrics, allowing employees greater autonomy.
Conclusion
"Retention Starts with Understanding What Employees Value Most"
The Talent War Isn’t Over—companies that rely solely on salary increases to retain employees will lose top talent to organizations that offer career growth, great leadership, and work-life balance.
Smartcruit and Hewitt Consulting are here to help businesses create retention strategies that work—backed by real hiring experiences and data-driven insights.
At Smartcruit, a leading recruitment agency in Thailand, and Hewitt Consulting, an HR consulting expert, we understand that retaining top talent is the foundation of long-term business success. While compensation is important, the key to sustainable retention lies in career development, company culture, and leadership engagement.
Why Choose Smartcruit ? – Top 5 Recruitment Company in Thailand
Expert in executive recruitment in Bangkok & nationwide
Helping businesses find top talent across industries
Over 50,000 professionals in our talent network
Trusted by leading companies looking for a recruitment consultant in Thailand
Hewitt Consulting – Your HR & Talent Development Partner
Research-backed HR strategies to reduce employee turnover
Career growth frameworks & leadership development programs
Expert insights for building a workplace culture that retains top talent
