How to take advantage of the Great Resignation? (Guideline for both employers and employees)

Words by Jessie Nguyen

A significant and unexpected shift in the workplace left everyone uncertain about tomorrow. Following a year marked by shutdowns, economic instability, and record-breaking unemployment level, a dramatic change occurred that no one could have predicted in 2021: people are quitting their jobs.

2021 is a year of the Great Resignation - a year in which workers quit their jobs at historically high rates. So what is the Great Resignation? Texas A&M University’s Anthony Klotz popularized the term in late 2020 in response to alarmingly rising quit rates in the United States following the COVID outbreak. The causes of the Great Resignation were found in a recent article to be toxic culture, job insecurity, and reorganization, high levels of innovation, failure to recognize performance and poor response to COVID-19.

While many consider the Great Resignation as a dark side effect of the COVID-19 on the world’s economy, people should begin to see this as an opportunity to take advantage of. Here are the following guidelines for both employers and employees on how to turn the table:

For employers:

• Be flexible:

Why not allow employees to work from home if they can do so? The majority of staff are open to working a hybrid schedule and come in at least one or two days per week. Others are even willing to accept more if provided on their terms. Remember that happy employees make productive outcomes.

• Examine remuneration and benefits.

Employees are not constantly searching for a higher salary, but a bigger paycheck won’t hurt anyone. Other benefits can be included, such as a fully remote or hybrid working schedule, paid parental leave, additional paid time off, and so on. The sky's the limit, be creative and sensible, dear employers.

• Analyze corporate culture:

Employees want to feel like they're part of a company that genuinely cares about them, the community, and the rest of the world, especially when their mental health is at its most fragile state. Consider the culture you've established to develop a more varied, equal, and inclusive environment with a higher purpose. 

For employees:

• Know what you want (and what you don’t want):

To explore positions that correspond with your goals, make a list of your negotiables and non-negotiables. Feel the liberty to walk away when it doesn’t fit your requirements.

• Advertise yourself:

With the alarming quitting rat