The expert gave advice on reducing turnover in conditions of staff shortage

The Russian labor market remains extremely tense: by the end of 2025, 93% of employers report a shortage of necessary competencies, unemployment has dropped to a historic low of 2.1%, and the number of able-bodied people may decrease by about 1.4 million more in 2026. Anastasia Gorelkina, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC HC Siberian Business Union, member of the Board of Directors of JSC Azot, told Izvestia on March 2 how to reduce staff turnover in conditions of staff shortage.

According to her, relying solely on salary increases in such conditions is becoming an ineffective strategy.

"The payroll budget is not unlimited, and competitors can always offer a little more. This is the path to an endless race," she said.

The expert said that today companies are actually choosing between two models of staff retention. The first is targeted benefits, such as VMI or corporate events, which reduce dissatisfaction but do not form a long—term attachment. The second is a systemic social contract that involves the support of not only the employee, but also his family.

"About half of employers also plan to increase their budgets for staff training and development in 2026, and this is the right signal. But learning without trust remains an investment in someone else's future employment. A culture of trust is when an employee knows that the company is nearby not only on payday," Gorelkina said.

The overtime limit in Russia may be increased to 240 hours.: what will change for employees

The bill assumes the voluntary nature of overwork and double payment for hours.

Maria Agapova, HR manager of the Solar Staff freelance automation service, told Izvestia on January 27 that the shortage of professional skills is becoming one of the key factors determining the development of the labor market in the coming years. According to her, this trend is confirmed by global forecasts: digitalization, the introduction of artificial intelligence and automation are changing the requirements for specialists faster than the market has time to adapt to them.

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