By Ringside Talent Partners
September 29, 2021
A recent survey found that 41% of workers are thinking about handing in their notice. The “Great Resignation,” coined by Anthony Klotz, is a phenomenon created in the wake of the pandemic. Workers had more free time to think about their careers, explore entrepreneurship, and save money— and many realized that the usual way of doing business is just not worth their mental health.
Employers will need to wake-up if they intend to attract and keep high-quality employees. And it’s not just about the money. Employees are willing to jump ship for better opportunities, more flexibility, and corporate responsibility.
Employers need to, at a minimum, embrace these five attributes to attract top-notch talent.
1. Ensure employee success.
With the changing workplace environment, employees can feel lost. Put processes in place to ensure employee success. A recent Microsoft report found that while managers and leaders reported thriving during the pandemic, many employees were struggling. For many Gen Z’ers, this is their first stab at being in the workforce. With virtual onboarding, Zoom training, and remote work, many Gen Z’ers are missing the comradery and training experience of yesteryear.
Employees are more burnt out than ever. Employers will need to find a way to connect with their employees to ensure their needs are being met and align them up for success.
2. Adopt a hybrid work model.
Employees were forced into remote work during the pandemic. Now, many want to remain working remote – at least a few days a week. More than half of survey respondents said they would look for work elsewhere if they were required to return to the office five days a week. That’s a lot of lost brain power!
There seems to be a disconnect between what employees want versus what employers want. About one-third of companies surveyed indicated they will opt for “in-person first” employment. Yet, more than half of workers surveyed want to work from home or want a hybrid arrangement.
Employers will need to shake out the discrepancy to find a working solution to attract employees.
3. Flexibility includes location and time.
A hybrid working model not only includes location, but also work hours. Working from home afforded employees flexible scheduling. Suddenly, employees could pop into a yoga class, run errands, or, finally, get their hair done at any time during the day. Workers developed their own rhythms, even optimizing their most productive times of the day for work.
The Gartner’s 2020 ReimagineHR Employee Survey showed that 55% of the workforce was more productive when they were able to choose when, where, and how much they worked during the week. We’re all snowflakes when it comes to productivity, so it makes sense that everyone has different needs, and times of performance.
4. Prioritize employee mental and physical wellbeing.
According to the Gartner’s survey, employers that supported their employees wellbeing saw a 23% increase in the number of employees reporting better mental health and 17% increase in improved physical health. During the pandemic, employers got a sneak peek into the lives of their employees. Savvy employers realized that supporting their employees in their personal lives led to a more productive workforce.
Offering employer-based support for mental health, financial health, and physical wellbeing will be necessary for employee retention in the future.
5. Corporate stewardship will become increasingly more important.
There is a lot of competition between employers for the best workers. Recruits will look at the entire package, and that includes corporate responsibility – whether that is a commitment to the environment or a commitment to serving their community. Corporate-sponsored stewardship programs offer a way for employees to feel good about themselves and their work. These programs also offer a way for employees to gain experience and develop new skills.
Want some bonus points? Let employees choose how to spend corporate dollars and time in the local community.
As the economy moves beyond the pandemic and life begins to return to its new normal, employers need to think beyond COVID. Companies should reevaluate their corporate culture, salary structure, and policies. Now is a great time to reassess company branding and image. All of these components contribute to recruiting top-performing employees.
Source: Ashley Stahl via Forbes.com