At the MACo Winter Conference, panelists explored strategies to tackle workforce challenges and build a thriving team with engaged employees in county governments.
County governments are tackling workforce challenges head-on, addressing recruitment hurdles, burnout, and retention struggles with innovative solutions. In this panel, experts shared how workplace flexibility, recognition programs, and career development initiatives are transforming employee engagement.
Attendees heard presentations on cutting-edge benefits supporting work-life balance, mental health, and childcare and learned strategies to build a thriving, loyal workforce. From actionable insights to inspiring examples, this session provided tools to create a culture where employees stay and excel.
Title: Engaging Employees, Retaining Talent: Strategies for Success
Speakers:
- David Weiskopf, County Administrator, St. Mary’s County
- Roger Hartley, Dean, College of Public Affairs, University of Baltimore
- Mark Willis, County Administrator, Calvert County
Moderator: The Honorable Denise Roberts, MD House of Delegates
Moderator @DelegateDenise opens the “Engaging Employees, Retaining Talent: Strategies for Success” session at #MACoCon.
Expert panelists explore workforce challenges like recruitment and burnout and how that impacts #MDCounties statewide. pic.twitter.com/Pg5jtoZzh3
— Karrington Anderson (@Kanderson_MACo) December 12, 2024
To enhance engagement, some counties like St. Mary’s and Calvert County have implemented employee recognition programs, including awards, peer recognition, wellness incentives, and professional achievement acknowledgment. Some counties are proposing strategies that emphasize streamlining recruitment processes, introducing flexible work arrangements, conducting regular salary reviews, and enhancing benefits such as debt management support, parental leave, and financial coaching. These efforts aim to create a supportive and appealing workplace culture, reduce turnover, and maintain high productivity by ensuring employees feel valued and engaged.
Dr. Roger Hartley’s presentation focused on addressing the hiring and retention crisis in government by fostering partnerships between higher education and local governments. Key strategies include creating opportunities for mutual engagement, such as internships, co-op programs, and paid apprenticeships, to attract younger talent. He emphasized the importance of demystifying government careers through improved recruitment processes, career center involvement, and the integration of applied learning programs like the University of Baltimore’s NextGen Leaders for Public Service Program.
