Preventing the 'Great Resignation' in Your Organization

This week, the Labor Department announced that the number of job openings in the U.S. topped 10 million - the highest on record.

In addition to this, millions of Americans have quit their jobs leading to what people are calling the “Great Resignation.”

The unprecedented circumstances our world faces has led people to rethink their careers and to reevaluate their priorities.

Now more than ever, leaders need to be able to adapt to the changing landscape.

Here's how:

Remote work has to be an option. The pandemic created more opportunities for team members to work from home.

However, as companies anticipate returning to a post-pandemic setting, employees are expecting the same type of flexibility as before.

More than half of employees surveyed around the world would consider quitting their job if they are not afforded some form of flexibility according to the EY 2021 Work Reimagine Employee Survey.

Mental health must be integrated into work culture. One of the leading reasons people are quitting their jobs is due to feeling overworked.

A survey by Monster.com found that one-third of those planning to quit their jobs said they were burnt out.

The pandemic brought on many stressors, and many people are not willing to compromise their happiness for a paycheck.

A workplace culture needs to be evaluated regularly. Employees want to feel valued and have opportunities to advance in their professions.

A study from the HR company Personia showed that more than half of the respondents who planned to quit their jobs were doing so because of a reduction in benefits, worsening work-life balance or a toxic workplace culture.

Companies must reassess their culture to promote employee wellness and advancement.

Flexibility is the new norm. If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s to expect the unexpected.

Leaders need to be willing to adapt to changing circumstances and allow employees the flexibility they need to thrive in their roles. Companies should be prepared to move their employees remotely or bring them back into the office based on current circumstances.

Leaders must be forward-thinking into what might come next.

Empathy has to be employed. One contributing factor to a toxic workplace environment is employees not feeling valued.

Given the current circumstances, many employees have dealt with high levels of stress.

Leaders can help provide a safe and encouraging environment by helping their team members feel a sense of purpose in their role and show them that their opinions matter.