Succession Planning, a recent report from the Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) in partnership with Kronos and the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR), describes how state and local governments use succession planning as an integral part of their strategy to attract, engage, and retain employees. 
The report features case studies with two local governments—the city of Sunnyvale, California and Hennepin County, Minnesota, and one state government, Tennessee—whose leaders are committed to creating opportunities for employees to grow and thrive.
Deanna Santana, city manager of Sunnyvale explains that the focus must be on employee satisfaction and growth. “You have to be careful not to over promise and manage expectations. … It’s not just about a promotion,” Santana said in a press release.
Tennessee’s Chief Learning Officer Dr. Trish Holiday stresses the importance of building a learning culture. “Our message to employees is that if you work hard and strive for excellence, you have a future here.
Even though this case study is designed to help public employers, there are some key takeaways that all employers could utilize when it comes to succession planning:
- Succession planning is part of a full safety net of Human Resources offerings that appeal to current and future employees.
- Retaining employees involves intangible benefits, such as flexible work schedules. Asking employees what is on their minds and being attentive to their interests increases employee satisfaction.
- Sunnyvale’s learning culture begins when an employee is hired and files a professional career development plan with Human Resources. That plan serves as a framework for managers and employees to determine what knowledge and experience is needed to reach their goals.
- A core strategy is to develop an organization culture where employees can grow and make meaningful contributions. That strategy includes schedule flexibility so that employees can participate in a higher level of work-life balance, professional development, and training programs.
For more information, or to view the full report, click here.