How to retain and attract staff in the wake of the great resignation
The Great Resignation has directly resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and has surprised many businesses globally. Employees have learnt during this time that it is no longer a matter of work-life balance but the other way around. 63% of job seekers now prioritise finding a job that helps them structure work around their lives. With more people opting to either quit their jobs or reduce their work hours, businesses have had to adapt quickly. Australian companies feel the pressure to change their company policies to retain staff and attract new employees. Here are some policy change trends across the globe that are proving successful.
Offer Work Flexibility
Many employees are now looking to find workplaces that offer flexible options, such as
? Work from home
? Part-time work
? Four-day work week
Due to the pandemic and the mandatory work from home orders, more people have recognised the benefits this provides for a ‘life-work’ balance. Some benefits include less commuting, more time with family and more time to enjoy the things they love. For example, on the Gold Coast, many people have opted to work from home or find part-time employment to enjoy surfing (the reason they live near the water!) Employers may be able to attract new staff and retain existing ones by providing options for them to work from home once or twice a week.
A 4-day workweek is becoming popular too, especially for healthcare and frontline workers or for workers who cannot work from home. These types of jobs are often labour-intensive and have longer working shifts. For this reason, a 4-day work week has helped to compensate for the lack of work-from-home opportunities that are often only available for office workers due to the nature of their work.
Provide Lifestyle and Health Perks
Due to the lockdowns, people have become more health-conscious and prefer to incorporate a more active lifestyle. Employers can help by providing perks such as free yoga or pilates classes and even discounted gym membership.
Given the mental stress experienced by most people due to the global pandemic, it has become vital that employees consider the mental and emotional well-being of their employees. When employees feel that their health matters to their employers, they feel a sense of belonging and appreciation, leading to a feeling of emotional well-being (and a desire to remain at their current employment). Providing access to a counsellor or training managers and HR officers in mental health ‘first-aid’ training can help employees access help should they need it.
Consider Remote Workers
There are many Australians now opting to work remotely. It could be working from a different country while travelling or taking an extended vacation. They can also be working remotely from an interstate location. These ‘digital nomads’ are attracted by the lifestyle benefits of working in a small town or international destination.
In some cases, it is the monetary benefits of remote work, such as the buying power of the Australian dollar in other countries. By advertising the role as a fully remote opportunity, you may be able to attract quality candidates that can work from anywhere in the world.
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