Inadequate Workplace Training: Business Liabilities for Lack of Training

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business environment, companies must invest in the professional development of their employees. Adequate workplace training helps employees perform their jobs better, increases job satisfaction and retention rates, and ultimately contributes to the organization's success. 

However, despite the clear benefits of training, many companies continue to overlook or underinvest in employee development. This lack of investment in training can have significant adverse effects on businesses. This post will explore the risks and consequences of inadequate workplace training and why businesses must prioritize employee development. 

Why Training is Important in an Organization

Workplace training is crucial for the success of any organization, as it provides employees with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to perform their jobs effectively. A commitment to employee training and development results in improved employee engagement, contributing to a more efficient, competitive, and profitable workforce. 

IBM research indicates that in top-performing organizations, 84% of employees receive adequate training, while only 16% of employees in low-performing organizations receive adequate training.

Additionally, studies show that when companies invest in employee development, 93% of employees are likelier to stay with the organization. 

Training and development programs are essential to: 

• Attracting and retaining top talent 
• Expanding skill sets and knowledge 
• Producing high-quality work 
• Increasing job satisfaction 
• Improving productivity and performance 
• Improving workplace engagement 
• Boosting morale 
• Complying with regulations and standards 
• Creating a better workplace environment 
• Promoting internally 
• Customer satisfaction 
• Improving relationships with suppliers and stakeholders 
• Improving company reputation and demand 

Moreover, research indicates that companies that prioritize employee development experience a significant boost in sales and profits compared to those that do not. Research by Gallup found that companies that strategically invest in employee training and development experience an 11% increase in profitability. 

What are the consequences of inadequate training? 

Considering the consequences of inadequate training can help you further understand the importance of training for your organization. Negligence in the workplace in the workplace can have a wide range of negative consequences, including: 

Reduced Employee Performance 

When employees lack the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to perform their jobs, productivity, and efficiency can suffer. This can lead to a decrease in overall performance and quality of work. 

Insufficient knowledge and training can cause reduced performance levels, leading to decreased profits for the organization. This can significantly affect customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders. 

Decreased Morale and Job Satisfaction 

Employees who do not receive the necessary training and support can become frustrated and demotivated. This can decrease morale and job satisfaction, impacting employee performance and retention. When mistakes are made, and the organization fails to meet expectations, workplace morale takes a hit, further exacerbating the problem by causing even lower retention rates. 

High Turnover Rates 

Failure to train employees causes them to feel unsupported and unprepared for their jobs, making them more likely to leave the company. This can lead to increased costs for the company, as they must invest in hiring and training new employees. 

Moreover, the ability to possess the necessary skills to perform well at work is highly valued by employees. If the tools for learning and success are absent and job performance suffers, it can lead to high turnover rates. 

According to IBM, 21% of new employees who don't receive training for their current role intend to stay at their organization, compared to 62% of new employees who do receive training. 

Safety Risks 

In some industries, offering no training can lead to safety risks for employees and customers. This can result in accidents, injuries, and even legal liabilities for the company. 

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers who lack adequate training are more vulnerable to injuries, especially when they are not equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to use equipment and supplies safely. This issue can become fatal in workplaces that involve heavy machinery and hazardous materials. 

Employees must receive training on the appropriate procedures and how and when to utilize them. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that all employees understand these protocols and can routinely follow them. 

Legal Liabilities 

As mentioned above, inadequate training can also result in legal liabilities for the company. If an employee makes a mistake due to a lack of training, the company may be liable for any damages or losses. 

Elevated Business Costs 

An organization that neglects to provide proper training to its staff may experience a surge in various expenses, for example: 

• Medical expenses resulting from employee injuries caused by the improper use of equipment and supplies
• Fees of defending the company against lawsuits from employees who claim their injury resulted from not receiving proper training at work or from outsiders injured while on the company premises. 
• Costly hiring due to a high turnover rate 

Insufficient Knowledge 

In today's fast-paced society, keeping up with the latest industry knowledge is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Even an industry leader can drop rankings due to lacking training. By failing to educate employees on industry trends, policies, and advancements, the organization may miss out on crucial innovations within the industry.

Companies must prioritize employee training and invest in the career development of their employees to avoid these adverse outcomes and ensure long-term success for their organization. 

Your Responsibility as a Business 

When an employer fails to train their workers adequately, it prevents them from performing their job correctly and endangers them. Although proper training is critical in high-risk roles such as construction or manufacturing, it is vital for all employees.

Inadequate training encompasses more than simply failing to explain how to use equipment or complete a process, although these scenarios can also be hazardous. As an employer, you are responsible for taking all necessary measures to ensure your employees can perform their duties safely.

Inadequate training can involve a variety of negligent actions by an organization, including:

• Fail to educate employees about job requirements
• Neglecting to provide appropriate safety equipment
• Inadequate supervision
• Insufficient information on safety regulations
• Inadequate risk information
• Poor record-keeping related to training
• Negligent hiring practices 

Today's workforce expects development opportunities to be a standard practice rather than a bonus. Besides demonstrating that you have taken the necessary steps to train your employees and comply with industry regulations, it also demonstrates that you recognize the value of your employees and are invested in their growth and success for the long term. 

Solutions to Lack of Training in the Workplace 

If your organization is part of a highly regulated industry such as food and beverage, environmental health and safety, or healthcare, your employees must complete mandatory compliance training. This ensures that employees understand the laws, policies, and regulations they must abide by.  

That’s where we come in. At 360training, we provide regulatory-approved online training and certification across a wide range of industries and professions in the U.S. We offer an extensive

catalog of workplace training courses, and we can customize a training and development program for your workforce’s learning objectives. 

Today, the accessibility of learning management systems (LMS), including for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), makes it more feasible than ever to offer development opportunities to employees. And with a growing list of LMS to choose from, we can assure you we have the right LMS for your business. 

A few reasons why organizations choose our LMS are:

• 20+ years of success providing effective, efficient training solutions
• Ability to manage all your courses in an easy-to-navigate platform
• Train your remote team anywhere in the world
• Accessible learning from any computer or mobile device

Partner with 360training for all your employee training and development needs as an SMB or enterprise business. We have over 20 years of success in providing effective workforce training solutions, more than 11 million users worldwide, and have provided robust solutions to over 4,000 businesses around the globe. 

By investing in employee training through 360training, as a company, you can ensure that your employees are well-trained, compliant, and better equipped to perform their jobs effectively and safely.