Many supervisors are left scratching their heads when some of their best subordinates defect to other companies. Keeping employees engaged and loyal isn't rocket science, but many employers fail to recognize their shortcomings when it comes to retention -- or lack thereof. In order to keep employees motivated, they should heed the valuable tips below. The more of them they put into practice, the greater the chances of keeping their employees happy, which usually translates into longevity. 1. Provide a fair compensation and benefits package. You don't necessarily have to offer the highest salaries and best benefits in your respective industry, but employees know a cheap employer when they see one. If your starting salaries and benefits are not even remotely on par with those offered by your competitors, where do you think your talent will eventually end up? 2. Show appreciation for employees' hard work. My employer recently acknowledged my five year anniversary wit...

As should I. I'm talking about Sweden. Why would anyone want to move there, you ask? According to CNNMoney, some Swedish firms are trimming the work week from 40 hours to only 30. And the results have been positive: Studies show that such a change has led to increased morale and productivity at said companies. It's apparent that these companies are employee-centric -- they recognize that these individuals' lives are enriched when they're given the opportunity to spend more time with friends and family or enjoy whatever hobbies they may have. The United States should really take note. U.S. employees work an average of approximately 47 hours per week. Is it any wonder so many of us in the states feel so stretched? It would also help if more U.S. firms jumped on the telecommuting bandwagon. If many of us were given the opportunity to work from home, we'd feel far less tired and financially strained. In fact, we'd save heaps of time and gas money. If...