Employee Retention Starts with Respect | Isla Talent Puerto Rico Recruiting

Discover how Isla Talent helps companies improve employee retention by recruiting from Puerto Rico and focusing on respect, communication, and genuine engagement with their workforce.

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In my 15 years working in human resources and recruiting, one thing has never changed: employees want to feel heard, appreciated, and respected. Whether they’re working in landscaping, construction, hospitality, or any other blue-collar industry, this basic need stays the same.

But in today’s fast-paced work environment, where profit margins and deadlines take priority, it’s easy for companies to lose sight of this. Unfortunately, when respect takes a backseat, so does employee retention. This is a mistake I see far too often.

Since I began recruiting reliable labor from Puerto Rico, I always make it a point to check in with my recruits once they start working with a new employer. One phrase I hear from them is music to my ears: “They treat me well.”

When I hear that, I know the placement will be successful. My best clients, the ones who retain employees for the long haul, are not necessarily the ones offering the highest wages. They’re the ones who slow down, take time to engage with their team, and build real relationships. They don’t see onboarding and check-ins as just another box to check off. They make their employees feel valued, not just hired.

At Isla Talent, we understand that retention starts with respect. From a thorough onboarding process to clear and ongoing communication, it’s the small, consistent efforts that make the biggest difference. Misunderstandings happen when expectations aren’t communicated, and disengagement happens when workers feel ignored.

If you’re an employer, ask yourself:

How do your employees talk about you when they’re with their friends or family on the weekend?

What would you like them to say?

One of the best compliments I’ve received this year came from a long-term recruit who said:

“Martin, you’re always checking in. I know I can count on you.”

That stuck with me. Because it’s really that simple.

When companies treat their workers with respect, listen to their concerns, and genuinely care about their well-being, the result is a stronger, more loyal workforce. Especially when you’re hiring labor from Puerto Rico, where workers are often far from home, that human connection matters even more.

At Isla Talent, we don’t just focus on recruiting, we help companies understand the keys to employee retention through respect, communication, and relationship-building.

So, slow down. Take the time to engage with your team. Respect is earned, given, and worked on daily. That’s how you build retention that lasts.