Is this really the "Great Resignation"?
The ABC published an interesting article recently; illustrating how, amongst other factors, COVID has encouraged many to reassess their priorities and forecasting unprecedented staff turnover as we move out of the pandemic. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-24/the-great-resignation-post-pandemic-work-life-balance/100478866
Is this really a “great resignation”?
Even in normal times, surveys regularly show +30% of employees intend to move roles in the following year.?
There’s no doubt that we’re already seeing a strong bounce in job movement after the uncertainly of early 2021 and closed borders / a closed talent ecosystem mean flexibility and pragmatism are more critical than ever when hiring. Staff retention will be a growing challenge for many employers into 2022. The supply/demand of talent means that “market rate” salaries may retain some but already attract few.?
There is undoubtedly a growing demand for workplace flexibility but with many workers feeling burned out, overworked or undervalued (and in some cases underpaid) during the pandemic, quality of management, workplace culture and how employers re/connect with staff are just as important.?
Many of the +30% of employees who claim in surveys that they intend to move jobs in the year ahead end up not doing so.?
It is already a candidate’s market and retention is always easier than recruitment. Whether the “great resignation” actually happens will, in the end, be in the hands of their current employers.?