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SHRM-SCP: Retain Employees After an International Merger

Learn the most effective strategy for employee retention when an engineering firm merges with an international company, based on expert SHRM-SCP exam advice.

Table of Contents

Question

A U.S. engineering firm has recently merged with an international company. With the change in leadership, management is worried that employees will begin leaving the organization. As HR prepares managers for their new international roles, what should HR recommend management focus on to have the greatest impact on employee retention?

A. Customer-employee relationships by hosting a customer appreciation day
B. Manager-employee relationships by working with each employee to understand his or her role
C. Government-employee relationships by hosting a conference with international employment expertise
D. Employee-employee relationships through off-site team-building events

Answer

To have the greatest impact on employee retention during this merger and transition to new international roles, HR should recommend that management focus on:

B. Manager-employee relationships by working with each employee to understand his or her role

Explanation

  1. During times of organizational change and uncertainty, employees look to their direct managers for guidance, support, and clarity about their roles and futures within the company. Strong manager-employee relationships can significantly improve retention.
  2. By working closely with each employee to understand their individual roles, managers can address concerns, clarify expectations, and help employees see how they fit into the new organizational structure. This personal attention helps employees feel valued and secure.
  3. Focusing on manager-employee relationships allows for targeted discussions about career development opportunities within the merged company, which can be a powerful retention tool.
  4. While the other options (customer relationships, government expertise, and employee bonding) may have some benefits, they don’t directly address the core issue of employees’ uncertainty about their roles and futures during the merger.
  5. Research consistently shows that employees leave managers, not companies. Investing in strong manager-employee relationships is one of the most effective ways to boost retention and navigate organizational changes successfully.

By recommending that management prioritize one-on-one discussions between managers and employees to clarify roles and address individual concerns, HR can have the greatest positive impact on employee retention during this challenging merger period.

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the SHRM-SCP exam and earn SHRM-SCP certification.