The Great Resignation has Changed!

During the Covid pandemic, many employees began seeking changes as they re-evaluated their priorities and tried to decide what was important to them. Many workers responded by quitting their jobs as they looked for positions with better work-life balance, better career opportunities, more meaningful work, and even more flexibility in their working arrangements.

Over 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs in 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  That is an unprecedented mass resignation from the workforce, that is now widely being called the Great Resignation.

To stop the exodus and even reverse it employers must know more about how their employee relationships are evolving. This knowledge with help companies make important changes to transform their organization into one that can not only can keep more of its staff, but will also be positioned to attract quality talent. So, what's driving people to quit.
 

See the latest UPDATES to this page! - - The Great Regret

Why were those resignations happening?

Everything had changed: Everything seemed to be  different. People began to change their attitudes and interests, - even how, when, and where they want to work has changed.

Hybrid-work: During the pandemic many companies began allowing more employees to work from home, or they were offered hybrid work schedules, and people loved it! 

Dissatisfaction: Workers became dissatisfied with their jobs for many reasons, and it was not only about money. Many employees felt disconnected or dis-engaged at work. They felt disconnected between their peers, their managers, the executive team, and even the purpose of the company itself.

When the staff doesn't have a sense of connection to their work and purpose, disinterest is inevitable. They become unable to see the point in what they are doing, and are more willing to quit in order to find  more meaningful work.

Understanding Why Employees were Quitting

In a study prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Work Institute found the top three reasons for leaving a job were career development, work-life balance and the behavior and attitudes of their managers.

With all that has happened to companies and workers during the pandemic, employees had a lot of time to consider their desire for a better work-life balance, and began looking for more meaning in their work.

Workers are also questioning how and where they want to work. A recent study by Prudential Insurance found that one in three US workers were dissatisfied, and no longer want to work in a job that requires them to be in the office full time. Many employees simply wanted to eliminate or reduce the hours spent on daily commutes.

During this deeply reflective period, employees have become more aware of how fragile life is. They were reexamining their jobs, the work they do, and how their work relates to their personal values. They want jobs with more meaning and provided them with more opportunities that aligned with their personal and professional ambitions.

Key Actions to Retain and Attract Employees

Listen to your employee’s needs and concerns.  Today’s employees are seeking employers who will provide them with a more appreciative, empathetic, and caring environment. Employees also want more opportunities to grow personally, to have more meaningful work, and to be more involved in what, when and how they do their jobs. Employees want to feel valued and that the company sincerely believes its employees are primarily responsible for the organization's success.

The Great Resignation turns to the The Great Regret!
Update - - August 2022

The main take-away here is that worker needs are still not being met by either company. The Great Regret is a sign that the Great Resignation is far from over.

Although many companies are now preparing for a possible recession, they are still trying to hang onto their good employees because they know talent is scarce and turnover is more costly.

To help retain valuable staff, organizations need to create an environment that clarifies and connects employees to business objectives, and make them feel valued and trusted. 

See the following for the key steps companies can do now.

More evidence of Regret for the Great Resignation 
Update - - January 2023

Steps all organizations can do today!

• Always show you Care! Make employees feel your company cares about them. Give employees more meaningful work and more control over what they do, as well as when, where, and how they do their work.
• Provide  the best Career Gowth Opportunities possible. Employees want to take their careers in a new direction, but they need your support and guidance, along with training to make these transitions possible within your company.
• Focus on Base Pay over Benefits. With increased inflation, employees are concerned about the higher cost of living. To help alleviate those concerns, it may be better to focus on increasing your base pay, and their increments, rather than adding more benefits.
• Address employee concerns about their work-life balance. Today, people are placing a higher value on their time. Things like their commute time to the office, and the number of days required to be in the office has become much more important.
• Develop an effective Remote or Hybrid-work model that works for everyone (if it is possible for your company). Create a strategy that keeps your company moving forward while satisfying the needs of employees.
• As you develop your work schedules, consider a Gallup survey that showed employees were the most productive when working remotely at least some of the time, but employees who worked from home all the time were more likely to suffer from burnout. Therefore, a hybrid-work schedule is preferred over an all-remote schedule for a better balance.
• Consider How, When and Where work can be done. Create a set of guidelines and philosophies for how, when and where people should work, instead of rigid rules employees must follow. Employees should understand they could adjust your guidelines as appropriate, giving them the autonomy to do their jobs in the most effective way.
• Communicate your changes. Inform current and prospective employees of your plans to develop or implement more flexible work schedules so it eliminates any uncertainty about your commitment. 
• Improve on-going communications: Listen more to your employees. Give them the means to be heard, and then acknowledge their ideas and input. Improve the way management communicates the organization’s mission, goals, and purpose, as well as how you are currently doing, the challenges ahead, and what’s needed to move forward. Make everyone feel involved by letting them know how they can help contribute to the organization’s success. 
• The Importance of Employee Recognition. Finally, after making all of the above changes, be sure to incorporate Recognition Awards and Appreciation gifts throughout your employee retention strategy. One of the best drivers of employee satisfaction and retention is recognition. When employees feel noticed and recognized for their service and contributions, they will be more engaged, productive, and will stay longer.

The transition to Remote and Hybrid work schedules

According to a Forrester research report, about 70% of companies will start adopting flexible hybrid-work schedules, while acknowledging that it is not possible for every organization or job.

What is a Hybrid Work Schedule?

Hybrid-work refers to a flexible work schedule that combines on-site and remote work. This type of schedule provides for time in the office for one or more days a week, with remote work for the balance. Giving employees a mix of both in-office and remote work is good for the employee and good for the business.

Productivity Concerns with Remote or Hybrid schedules

Initially, many companies feared a loss of productivity as they began hybrid or remote working. However, recent research has eliminated that fear by showing that for most workers, productivity has either stayed the same, or has increased during their transition to remote work. Employee teams working remotely have also seen higher productivity, plus reduced overhead costs.

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