8 employee cross-training benefits employers can’t afford to miss out on

1. Increased flexibility and adaptability

Let’s cover the big one first. Employee cross-training leads to increased flexibility and adaptability in your workplace.

Top talent, especially younger talent, is looking for flexibility in their work. They want to know you will support them in the ways they work best and that the company they work for, as well as the people they work with, are flexible.

PwC’s 2022 Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey found that younger workers are looking for flexibility, training, development, autonomy and transparency on social issues from their employer. The report concludes that companies “must tailor their workforce strategy to the unique needs of their workers.”

Flexibility is what employees are craving, and it’s a huge asset to your workforce, too. Adaptability is one of the top skills businesses look for in their hires today. That’s because the world – technology, culture, globalization, etc. – is changing at an incredibly fast pace.

By cross-training your team members, they develop their adaptability skills, sometimes referred to as someone’s AQ, (adaptability quotient). Adaptability is tied to several business assets, including increased problem-solving, better communication, willingness to embrace change and empathy.

Practically, employees can easily switch between roles, departments or projects as required. They’ll also be flexible in the face of change, evolving to the needs of clients, company growth and new trends.

Your team and business will be better equipped to handle unexpected changes in the workplace and beyond.

2. Increased efficiency

Cross-training helps to reduce downtime and delays, which will increase efficiency. Employees are better able to fill in for each other during absences, vacations or emergencies, so work doesn’t need to pause just because one person is missing.

The cohesion across teams helps everything operate more smoothly and efficiently, leading to increased productivity. Team members will trust each other to fill in because they know everyone on the team is just as qualified as they are. Trust leads to more efficient decision making, meaning work can move forward without any roadblocks getting in the way.

3. Improved employee morale and job satisfaction

Everyone loves working on a happy, healthy team.

When employees feel valued and appreciated, morale goes up, and morale is contagious.

Cross-training provides opportunities for career development, which leads to increased job satisfaction. It also provides personal and professional development, as employees are given opportunities to learn new skills and knowledge.

Employees are more likely to stay with the company long-term because they are happy and satisfied with their work. They’ll feel a sense of pride in what they do as they continue to build their skills.

This joint satisfaction for the work will keep employees happy where they are, reducing the huge cost of employee turnover.

4. Enhanced problem-solving abilities

Cross-training exposes employees to different ways of thinking, which enhances their problem-solving abilities. They’ll have different skills and different points of view to draw upon.

Any interactions with other teams and different job roles can bring new ideas and solutions to the table.

Plus, since teams aren’t isolated to their roles or specific team, they’re able to communicate and engage with a wider pool of people. This will encourage better communication and open dialogue across teams.

Cross-training encourages and supports a culture of continuous improvement and innovation because everyone is working together to learn new skills. Pushing these boundaries ensures the business, as well as each team member’s professional development, doesn’t stagnate.

5. Improved communication

Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, workplace mistakes and even conflict – all of which aren’t good for an organization’s reputation or bottom line.

Cross-training allows team members to understand one another. Everyone has a bit of knowledge of what adjacent teams do, and they also understand the language each team uses. The ability to speak openly and clearly across teams improves communication for the entire business.

When employees communicate effectively, work can be completed faster and with fewer errors or unexpected roadblocks. Each team member can communicate what they’re working on, what they need and any issues that could arise.

Being familiar with the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues also makes employees more empathetic toward the people they work with, further enhancing communication and trust.

6. Promotes a continuous improvement mindset

Cross-training makes sure your business and your employees don’t stagnate. It ensures they continue to learn and grow, expanding their mind beyond the daily grind of their role.

An ongoing training program supports and encourages a continuous improvement mindset. Team members won’t settle for the status quo, and they’ll continue to want to better themselves and the business they’re a part of.

This way of thinking and working sparks innovation and creativity, which will help keep your company ahead of the curve and always ahead of your competition.

7. Reduces costs

Cross-training can reduce your costs in the long run since the whole team can fill in the gaps as needed.

You won’t have to hire a new employee to fulfill each individual skill set since everyone has a base knowledge surrounding the company’s needs. The ability to cover for a co-worker who is on sick leave, parental leave or what have you, is a huge asset and reduces cost since you can utilize the team you already have.

Plus, the other benefits we’ve covered, such as improved efficiency and communication, will indirectly save your company money.

8. Attract adaptable talent

Reliable, hard-working and skilled employees are hard to come by, especially in niche industries. Word about your company‘s culture and how you treat your employees gets around. By investing in cross-training, you’re investing in your team, and that’s something that’ll attract good employees.

You want to build a team of innovative, lifelong learners who go out of their way to solve problems. These types of people are very attractive to businesses that are flexible and prioritize personal and professional development. And that’s just what cross-training offers.

You can dazzle potential hires with the perks of cross-training, letting them know they won’t be siloed into one specific role. There’s room to grow, develop and expand their career if they choose to work with you.