The Great Resignation: How To Avoid Losing Your Employees
Businesses have had numerous issues to overcome after the COVID-19 pandemic; losing their employees was one of them. This phenomenon is called the Great Resignation. Around this time, people started leaving their jobs to find others with better work-life balance, salaries, and greater fulfillment. This has prompted many companies to shift their focus to empowering their workforce, giving them more reasons to stay. Let's look at what you can do to encourage your employees' loyalty to your business and some tips to recover from the Great Resignation.
6 Ways To Empower Your Employees During The Great Resignation
1. Competitive Compensation
Your company should be able to provide attractive compensation packages in order to retain talented people in your workforce but also welcome more new ones. For instance, a salary below the market rate may not be competitive when it's time to expand your talent pool. That's why you must conduct regular salary reviews to ensure that you are at or above the industry standard. You should also provide benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. You can also get creative about the benefits you're going to offer them, such as remote work days if they typically work on-site.
2. Opportunities For Career Growth
Every organization should provide employees with opportunities for career growth. You can support the professional development of your staffers by investing in employee training and development programs. These programs can include mentorship, leadership development, and skills training. To engage them more in the process, ask them if they have any preferences or personal gaps they want to fill. Also, encourage internal promotions and job offerings according to their skills and capabilities. This will show them that career advancement opportunities are available within the company so they won't look elsewhere when it's time to move up the corporate ladder.
3. Reward Employees
Your company should have a recognition and reward system to make your people feel appreciated for all their hard work. Recognition can come in many forms, including bonuses, promotions, and public acknowledgment of a job well done. Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be monetary incentives. For example, congratulate someone on completing a difficult project in a company-wide meeting, or have their photo uploaded to the website with a congratulatory badge.
4. Positive Work Environment
A positive work environment is everything to employees. You need to create a culture where they feel safe and respected. This includes promptly addressing issues such as workplace bullying, discrimination, and harassment. Create a platform where employees can report issues and ensure that leaders are prepared to manage situations that may arise. Also, it's crucial to outline all the necessary actions your company will take in case of a harassment or bullying incident. Finally, inclusivity training is crucial, emphasizing that any form of racism will not be tolerated in the workplace.
5. Work-Life Balance
One of the key things that job candidates look for is a company that encourages work-life balance. For example, establish remote or hybrid working, or allow employees to set their own schedules if possible. You can also re-evaluate your paid time off policies to help employees feel more satisfied and connected to the company.
6. Effective Communication
It's important to be open and transparent when communicating with your workforce. Regular corporate updates, team gatherings, and one-on-one meetings between management and employees are essential. Listen to your people's concerns and take action to address any issues. Employee feedback can also help with that. So, encourage employees to offer their insights through regular surveys, meetings, and suggestion boxes. Your people should feel that their voices are heard and that their comments are taken seriously.
Extra Tips To Overcome The Great Resignation
Exit Interviews
Exit interviews can be extremely valuable in showing you why employees are leaving and what you can do to retain them. You can also use the feedback to identify areas for improvement, such as compensation, benefits, and workplace culture. By addressing past employee concerns, you'll be able to provide your current team members with the best environment to perform their jobs effectively.
Invest In Tech
Investing in the right technology can make a significant difference in how your employees handle their responsibilities. Make certain that your people have access to the latest equipment and software, and provide them with technical support when needed. For example, you can invest in web conferencing software or project management tools to improve remote collaboration.
Hire The Right Ones
One of the most common obstacles is being able to recognize and hire applicants who are a good fit for the company. This means that they have the skills and experience needed to perform their jobs successfully but are also perfect for the company culture. Start by implementing an extensive hiring process that includes thorough background checks. Tools can take on some of the tasks, but training your HR team on all aspects of candidate vetting and hiring is integral.
Conclusion
The Great Resignation presents a significant challenge for companies that can't afford to lose their top talent. To avoid an exodus, you need to take steps to empower team members and create a positive work environment. This may require your business to change its priorities or rethink its current cultural values. By following the above tips and strategies, you can build a successful and sustainable workforce that always brings its A-game to the job.