As their people have begun to leave in droves, many leaders are left with many questions and difficult decisions. Here are some of my thoughts on what is being referred to as "The Great Resignation."
I think the largest obstacle is the change in the paradigm. For many of us, we’re going on 20 months now, working from home, relying on technology to get the job done. Some companies are beginning to go back to the way things were pre-pandemic. This is a change in the paradigm that some employees may be hesitant about embracing and they may not want things to go back to the way they were.
Now is the time more than ever for leaders to listen to their employees. Go to a new level with them, engage with them, give them a more active role in the company. Maybe, rather than having the employees simply do what they’re told, leaders could consider doing what their employees recommend.
It’s also a good time to recognize the hybrid work environment and its benefits. For many companies, allowing employees to work from home has been shown to provide greater results and productivity.
Listening to the employees, and the value they bring at a whole new level will make employers find they can create a better place to work. Employees will be less likely to leave for another place to work if they feel valued. Employers must listen to and trust their employees to help their companies grow both horizontally and vertically.
Many employees have demonstrated that they can work in a more flexible, versatile environment, where they don’t have to be in the office every day. They have also demonstrated that their productivity is not only the same as it was before the pandemic, but in several cases, it has gone beyond expectations. They’re demonstrated that given the versatility and the trust of their employers, they are going to excel. They’re going to exceed the expectations of their companies, their leadership, and their roles.
As well, the gig economy is taking off. People are taking contract work and they’re taking jobs for shorter periods. If they don’t like the culture of their current company, that’s fine – there are plenty of other jobs out there so they can move on and adjust.
Employees expect extra compensation, benefits, and bonuses. But they also expect adequate work-life balance and a workplace culture that provides them with versatility and respect. As such, leaders need to be prepared to demonstrate to their employees that their opinions matter. They need to understand what their employees are looking for and what is important to them. These are some of the things to keep in mind for retaining your organizations’ talent, especially during these unpredictable times.