The Great Resignation: Why Employees Are Leaving and What Employers Can Do!

Welcome to the very first edition of the Future of Work newsletter! Whether you're leading a small business or managing a growing team, we're here to give you the real talk on navigating this wild new work world we all find ourselves.

We’re kicking things off with a topic that’s been on everyone’s mind: The Great Resignation. But before we dig in, let’s get real - is it actually over?

With waves of layoffs hitting different industries, it feels like the frenzy of people quitting their jobs might be calming down. These days, more folks seem to be holding on to their gigs a bit more tightly. So, what’s really going on? Are companies finally figuring out how to keep their people happy? Have we all accepted that the perfect job is just a myth?

Why People Are Still Walking Away Let’s not kid ourselves - there are some big reasons why people started quitting in the first place:

1. Burnout: Working around the clock with little balance drove a lot of people to their breaking point.
2. No Growth: When there’s no room to grow, people start looking for places where they can spread their wings.
3. Poor Pay: If people feel undervalued, they’re going to find a place where their contributions are properly rewarded.
4. Toxic Culture: No one wants to stick around in a negative, disrespectful environment. It’s as simple as that.

But here’s the twist: while the job market might be tighter now, the urge to leave isn’t completely gone. People might be staying put for now, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still dreaming about better opportunities - or even building their own side hustles on the sly.

The High Cost of Losing People Let’s face it, when people leave, it hits hard. It’s not just about the hassle of finding someone new. It’s the time, money, and effort you lose in the process. Plus, you can’t put a price on the experience and knowledge that walks out the door with them.

So, How Do You Keep Your Best People? It’s not rocket science, but it does take some effort. Here’s what you can do to keep your team around:

1. Be Flexible: The old 9-to-5 is dead. Offer remote work, flexible hours, and let people live their lives.
2. Build a Great Culture: Make your workplace a place where people feel valued, supported, and appreciated.
3. Invest in Their Growth: Help your team grow with training, clear career paths, and opportunities to advance.
4. Pay Fairly: Make sure your compensation matches the market. If people feel underpaid, they’ll start looking elsewhere.
5. Care About Well-being: Support your team’s mental and physical health. It’s not just a perk—it’s essential.
6. Make Work Meaningful: People want to feel like their work matters. Show them how their role fits into the bigger picture.

The Great Resignation might be slowing down, but don’t get too comfortable. Retention is still a challenge, and the companies that get it right will be the ones that thrive.

What’s Next? So, is the Great Resignation really over? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing’s for sure: keeping your best people is more important than ever. In our next edition, we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of what really works when it comes to retention. (Spoiler: it’s about way more than just offering free snacks.)

Let’s Chat: What’s your take on all this? Does any of it hit home for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts - drop a comment, and let’s get a conversation going. And if you found this helpful, go ahead and share it with your network. We’re all in this together as we navigate the future of work.