There are several ideas floating around why this large group of resignations is happening.
✅COVID quarantine gave folks time to reconsider their career options and what gives them more meaning from their work.
✅More time spent with friends and families by working remote caused employees to closely evaulate their job satisfaction and career future
✅ Employees accustomed to less commute time and less frenzied work schedule means employers should allow for remote work or at least a hybrid option.
What can Employers and leaders do to retain good talent right now:
✅Be transparent, share frequent updates about the HEALTH and WEALTH of your company
✅Engage with employees in real time (not just surveys) and get honest feedback that you can act on without parsing judgement.
✅Balance work with fun activities during the work week, not after work when family obligations limit attendance
✅Share the wealth, if the company does well, what’s the price of an extra bonus to keep talent from leaving? Give more stock options as an incentive.
✅Create a measurement for productivity vs “seat time”. Research has shown that productivity during COVID rose dramatically so why would that change going forward? TRUST your valued employees.
✅Allow for career changes within the company:
- Allow your scientist that is organized and efficient to try Project Management work that complements their current scientific role.
- What if an employee is a natural mentor/trainer and could be grown to be a Group Lead with a team?
Consider being more flexible as you recruit new employees and more importantly as you retain them. The payback from longer tenured employees is worth the investment!