The Lazy Days of… Fall?
You’ll hear it, albeit often it in whispered voices, in boss’ offices around the country. Leaders fear that October—traditionally the month organizations need its employees to start an end-of-year push—is shaping up to be another month like August, when many tired employees are thinking more about vacations and anything but work. Korn Ferry delves into the particular stressors workers are feeling this fall, how those are affecting their motivation, and what leaders can do about all of it. Next, our experts look at why there might be a hiring spike after the US elections. Plus, we highlight the subtle ways you can ensure that your boss notices your good work.
1) Is October Becoming the New August?
Remember when October?workplaces were speedways toward?end-of-year numbers??The determination! The commitment!?Employees hunkered down?for a low-distraction month of boosting?sales, closing?deals, and planning?for next year.
This?October is shaping up to be a little?different, with some managers saying they’re noticing less of a driving spirit.?For one,?fatigue?rates for workers are?steeply rising:?Over 82%?of employees are at risk of burnout, due to a mix of financial pressure (43%), exhaustion (40%), and excessive workload (37%), according to a recent trend report.?At the same time,?engagement figures hit an eleven-year low earlier this year, while use of sick days has grown. “People feel emotionally and energetically depleted,”?says?psychologist?Karen Huang ,?Korn Ferry’s director of search assessment.?
2) The New Hiring Spike: Will It Continue?
Firms have had plenty of reasons to hold off on hiring. The skill sets needed to work with AI are in short supply. The presidential election is a toss-up.
But hiring has picked up—and then some. In a surprising development, the?nation’s employers added 254,000 more employees in September than in August, according to the latest US government data.?The unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from 4.2%.?There are now more than 159 million non-farm jobs in the US, an all-time high and a 1.5% increase over last year. At this point, experts say, desperate organizations will hire anyone with specific skills, regardless of other priorities.
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3) 5 Ways to Be Sure Your Boss Sees Your Good Work
Everyone wants to be sure their boss knows how hard they’re working. But communicating this message to a busy manager is easier said than done, particularly if you’re part of a hybrid team. Simply put, your boss is not standing by and waiting to see the latest indicators that you’re doing a good job. This makes grabbing their attention on the right projects a critical skill.
Experts say that making your boss aware of your efforts is not just good preparation for the next performance review… though it will help you there, too: Studies have?long shown ?that employees perceived to be putting in their best efforts enjoy higher performance ratings. Keeping your boss informed about your projects and time commitments facilitates a trusting relationship and encourages feedback. But experts advise proceeding with some subtlety: Constantly broadcasting effort levels is not the way to go. Here’s how to let your boss know that you’re working hard without actually saying so.
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OK Bo?tjan Dolin?ek
Fundador SMS Human Resources Consultant. Formacion y Desarrollo en Sanidad #Cursos #Sanidad # Recursos Humanos #Enfermeria #Dentista
1 个月La publicación es muy interesante . Observamos como el agotamiento laboral y la falta de motivación en octubre son realidades que muchos equipos experimentan . Es crucial que los líderes reconozcan estos desafíos y busquen formas de reenergizar a sus empleados , En entornos híbridos, destacar requiere más que esfuerzo , se trata de mantener una comunicación estratégica y demostrar valor en los proyectos clave.
For sure, it’s interesting to read how much the atmosphere has changed this October. The historical drive toward year-end goals seems overshadowed by the collective fatigue and stress many are feeling. With so many external pressures—economic, environmental, political uncertainty, consumer confidence and social—it’s understandable that engagement levels are dipping. Leaders need to adapt to this "new reality". Perhaps it’s time to prioritise employee well-being over rigid deadlines, allowing for flexibility as we navigate these challenges. I believe in the long run, it will ultimately foster a more sustainable work environment and help us regroup for a more productive end of the year.
As a cybersecurity professional in the space sector, organizations rely on me for information assurance and architectural guidance. I’m also a successful business developer. | Public Speaker
1 个月This is one reason to form a strong team environment. Leaders can then guide teams to "respond" instead of "react" to stress. Also, I find giving "thanks" daily is a mini mental vacation that keeps me focused on what I have and what can be accomplished.
Problem Solver, SME, Consultant, Clinical Laboratory Director, Healthcare, MMIS and commercial Insurance. seeking remote opportunities
1 个月Useful tips