Yes, this statement is true. Numerous people in America are making the choice to leave their jobs — and I believe this trend could potentially lead to one of the greatest transformations of the workplace seen for many years.
People became aware of the unpleasant truth about how tired they really are. Not just tired from a long week, but exhausted. Tired to the point that they feel as if they have nothing left to give, and as if they cannot stand to be at their jobs any more.
Many employees, who gave everything they had, did everything the right way (Worked hard, showed loyalty, showed up early and stayed late, etc.), still did not receive any rewards for either their professional or personal life.
Then life was forced to take a break while we were forced to take a break.
The World Changed Around Us
People had an opportunity over the last few years to try a new type of life by being home more often, having more dinners with their families, spend less time commuting, and finally be able to breathe.
Many people experienced, for the first time in years, that it is possible to put family first instead of putting their job first.
Instead of work-life balance I use the term life-work balance. It is difficult once you see it’s life-work balance.
Once you look at your life that way, it’s nearly impossible to look at life as work again.
So as a result of those changes in perception, employees have begun asking themselves some very serious questions about their current jobs and careers;
- Why am I doing this?
- How is this job helping me grow?
- Do I feel valued at work?
- Is the pay worth what I have sacrificed?
For the majority of employees, the above quests did not give them convincing answers.
This has created an excellent opportunity for companies to attract top talent.
After many years of having too many people looking for a job, businesses are now faced with competing for talent like they once did.
The last decade has shown that paying someone a salary or an hourly rate does not guarantee that they will remain employed with you.
Today, employees are looking for;
- Flexibility
- Recognition
- Development
- The option to work remotely or hybrid
- An actual, honest conversation about their future
The organizations that will capitalize on this trend will be those organizations that are willing to make the above a company priority.
Companies that keep the status quo will continue to ask themselves why no one will stay employed by them.
Here’s A Quick Story Of What I Learned As A Manager.
Every month, I would have a 15-minute meeting with each individual employee. These meetings were not to assess work or assign new projects – the purpose was strictly to chat.
- Where are you headed in life?
- What are your long-term goals?
- Is this job helping you achieve those long-term goals or hindering?
I had one employee who wanted to coach high school sports. That meant he would need to leave work by 3 p.m. every day (in the middle of working hours) to get to practice.
So, we had a choice: fire him, or allow for adjustments in his work schedule. We allowed for adjustments: when it was the sports season, he would come into work earlier. Everyone was able to continue with their work without any loss of production. Therefore, we not only helped make him happy, but helped make sure the company was not losing any production. We both won!
What I did is not revolutionary. It’s simply human beings treating each other well.
If You Are Thinking about Quitting, Relax
You may find this surprising.
If you currently work somewhere and are considering being part of the mass exit from your job, do not rush.
You currently have the upper hand!
Instead of looking for another job in silence, have a discussion with your manager about:
- Flexible working hours
- Working remotely
- New job responsibilities
- Opportunities for growth in your career
You have spent time building a relationship and proving yourself already, so give your employer the opportunity to make changes.
What happens if they refuse to change? You still have options, and far more now than at any other time.
Side Hustles Are Trending
Another important area of this transition is the rise of entrepreneurship.
Many do not have to gamble everything on their single paycheck anymore.
Now is a good time to try out new ideas for a side business if you have been thinking about having one.
A critical point: Do not quit your current job too early.
Grow something small at first (evenings, weekends, or while at home). While experimenting with your side hustle, ensure you have a financial safety net.
As time passes, your side business could become your full-time job if you give it time to develop naturally.
Why This Is Not About Being Lazy
I’ve heard people say, people just do not want to work anymore.
I disagree.
Most people want to be involved in a meaningful career where their efforts make a difference, and where they will be compensated fairly.
What they do not want is:
- Being invisible.
- Feeling as if they are not advancing or developing.
- Giving up everything outside of work.
The Great Resignation does not represent a U.S. workers’ revolt against working; rather, it represents a rejection of the antiquated work environment.
As recent news stories of millions of Americans quitting their jobs may suggest chaos, there is actually something much better coming from it – a time of reassessing and refocusing what it means to have a good job and what really matters in our lives. In these times, both employees and employers find themselves completely redefining what they expect from work.
So, employees are asking themselves: “What do I actually want my life to look like?” And employers are questioning how to attract and maintain talented people (in the past few months, we’ve seen an abundance of new job titles advertised).
And therefore, the companies which initially answer this second question with sincerity and care will ultimately play an integral role in the evolution of today’s workplace.
Simply put, there is nothing crazy about the event known as “The Great Resignation.” It is simply a change. And while change has never been easy, if it leads to a workplace where employee value is significantly more important than the productivity numbers produced, and if we have employees building a career based on real life rather than the opposite, this moment will be considered a turning point in today’s workplace. And that is very exciting to me.
