Let's Talk Staffing... Yes, in THIS climate!
Everyone seems to feel the effects of "The Great Resignation," whether it's hitting your salary budget or how you're now hiring and retaining staff. As we talk with local businesses and Chamber members, the same question always comes up; "What's the deal? Why don't people want to work?!"
What we're realizing is that folks do want to work, but they don't want to sacrifice their well-being for a job anymore. Gone are the days when the workforce mentality was to work in stressful environments, with toxic co-workers just for a paycheck. A shift in mindset seems to have taken place after 2020 when people were forced to take a break whether they wanted to or not. People that had that "rise and grind" mentality all of a sudden realized it's okay, and actually quite pleasant, to take some time for themselves and their families. Switching from office life to remote working and other changes has caused many to question their workday expectations, such as how, when, and where they can get work done. This new wave of workers wants to work for companies that prioritize their well-being and their sense of purpose.
So, what does that mean for your business or organization? Maybe it's time to reconsider your current work culture. What seems to be the top priorities for job searchers and current employees?
The growth of remote working is causing many employees to rethink how they approach their workday.
Workers are looking to their employer to prioritize wellbeing and purpose.
Flexible working conditions, work-life balance, and skills development are also seen as increasingly important.
The rise of the home office
Since 2009, the number of people who work from home has risen by 159% A Statista survey of work trends prior to COVID-19 shows a gradual increase in home working over the past decade, which spiked suddenly as the pandemic hit.
The pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote working. A study by Owl Labs found that after 2020, 92% of people surveyed expect to work from home at least 1 day per week, and 80% expected to work at least 3 days from home per week.
While convenience is surely a big reason people enjoy working from home, there are quite a few reasons we're seeing a rise in remote working:
Companies that allow remote work see an average increase of $2,000 in profit per remote worker
Remote workers save around $7,000 per year in transportation, food, and childcare
Better work-life balance is the main reason why people choose to work remotely.
77% of remote workers say they’re more productive when working from home, and 75% of remote workers say they have fewer distractions by working from home.
85% of managers believe that having teams with remote workers will become the new norm.
74% of workers say that having the option to work remotely would make them less likely to leave a company.
Telecommuting reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an amount of 600,000 cars
64% of recruiters say that being able to pitch a work-from-home policy helps them find high-quality talent
Now, we understand that not all businesses are conducive to their staff working from home. However, that doesn't mean business as usual will continue to work. Even service and retail industries are adapting.
Wellbeing and shared culture
Many individuals are looking to employers to prioritize flexibility and skills development, including workers having the freedom to decide their start and finish times, enjoy increased vacation days and fully flexible work options.
Wellbeing and purpose are also important priorities, with almost half of workers prepared to move to a new organization to improve their wellbeing. (Source: Mercer.com)
The changing work landscape means employers need to rethink their duty of care to include mental wellness. Employees are increasingly looking for support to prevent burnout, build resilience and increase mental fitness - such as mental health non-working days.
An increased sense of shared values and culture is taking shape, with a heightened focus on building trust and cohesion within teams, especially where employees interact remotely. Three-quarters of employees surveyed by Manpower want to feel motivated and passionate about the work they do.
With both talent shortages and hiring difficulties reaching a 15-year high, companies that invest in their employee experience will be well placed to retain existing staff and attract newcomers.
Employees, consumers, and other stakeholders are choosing to engage with companies that prioritize people and communities, and champion social challenges and the environment. In the age of instant communications through social media, the actions of companies and other organizations matter more than ever.
The time is now
Now is the time to reflect and make positive changes to your business or organization. Keep in mind, that leadership cannot simply say how the company will change, but also follow through with action. I think the term is "Don't just talk the talk but walk the walk?" When your staff sees you take a day off to unplug, they will be more likely to feel confident in doing the same.
How will you change your culture to better support your employees?