Published Monday 7th March 2022

The past few years have been hard on us all. COVID-19 threw us into unprecedented times and, for many, it brought to mind what they truly value in life.

Following the start of the pandemic, many businesses saw a change in their workforce, most notably the number of employees resigning from their jobs even when they didn’t have another lined up. This became known as The Great Resignation.

What Industries Have Been Impacted by The Great Resignation?

Industries across the world saw a change in their workforce because of COVID-19, from lay-offs to resignations and those who were critically vulnerable and unable to attend work for their own safety.

That said, some were more impacted than others. Most notably, any jobs that could not be done remotely saw the most losses, such as:

  • Leisure
  • Hospitality
  • Retail
  • Manufacturing
  • Health services
  • Arts
  • Entertainment and recreation.

So, with millions of people quitting their jobs, what is a business to do?

Ways to Tackle The Great Resignation

People change jobs over their lifetime for a number of reasons; The Great Resignation saw a huge rise in those leaving jobs without anything to move on to. While this may not seem unprecedented, businesses still struggled from the loss.

Here are a few ways that businesses can tackle The Great Resignation.

Understanding Employees

Over the year, more companies have begun to put the needs of their employees above even those of the customer. After all, how can you expect your employees to give their all when they feel undervalued?

Still, following COVID-19, now is a time for companies to not only value their employees but also understand how their lives have been impacted. Some may have been home-schooling children, they could have lost loved ones or they may have even started a side business.

By better understanding your employee’s circumstances and accommodating any changes, you can ensure your employees feel valued and help relieve that itch to move on.

Prioritise Well-Being

Another thing that must be addressed is employee well-being. The pandemic caused a lot of uncertainty, and it’s only natural employees may be feeling anxiety over various things, such as financial security and their sense of purpose.

This is why well-being should be a top priority. Make sure you catch up with employees one-to-one or in small groups to help promote connection and inclusivity and build an effective support system for everyone who works for your company. This is also important to help with burnout.

Other ways you can help employees include:

  • Professional or personal development opportunities.
  • Help with financial planning, boundary setting and building resiliency.
  • Encourage self-care.
  • Positive notes of recognition and encouragement from higher-ups.

Communication really is key when it comes to well-being. Once you know how your employees feel, you can better find ways to help.

Encourage & Reward Employees

A high volume of resignations is bound to hurt your business, but it can also negatively impact morale for the employees who chose to stay. Plus, a smaller workforce can mean added workload for those remaining and some may not be used to the responsibility or expectation.

This is where a little recognition can go a long way. By showing your employees that you value them, you can help convince them to stay. Losing some staff may seem like a blow, but it can also be an opportunity for other employees to step up and shine! Make sure you give them the chance to do so.

It may also be a good idea to include team-building days or activities to better welcome and integrate any new employees while also helping to build a sense of community in your workforce.

Valuing your employees and proving why you are the best place for them to work is a key step towards countering The Great Resignation and ensuring your team can continue to work as effectively as possible.

Don’t lose your best employees to The Great Resignation. Contact our expert team at Expense Reduction Analysts for professional advice on workforce retention and supply chain management in the post-pandemic era.