Why are more employees quitting jobs during this pandemic?

Why are more employees quitting jobs during this pandemic?

4 mins read

Reasons why employees quit a company can be for their career development, work-life balance, or manager behavior. Whatever the reason is, it is crucial for a company to know why the employees are leaving because a high turnover rate signifies low employee job satisfaction. It also requires time, effort, and resources to hire new employees to fill these openings. By knowing the reasons employers can directly solve recurring issues and make a pleasant working environment for everyone.

The ongoing pandemic has caused a pent-up demand for changes in the workplace. Employers need to provide their employees with flexible working hours in order to hold back potential staff.

A survey from Microsoft Work Trend Index found that over 38% of workers in the UK and Ireland are planning to change their current jobs this year. In a time of a global crisis, and amidst the uncertainties it was likely to be the other way around.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics published that the number of people quitting jobs voluntarily went up in the accommodation, food, and information sector during this pandemic. LinkedIn has also published a report that the IT industry witnessed its highest turnover in the last year.

Experts believe that the pandemic has led many people to an inflection point at which they are reconsidering the particulars of their lives and of the work-life balance. There is still a lot of uncertainty about the re-entry into the new hybrid work culture. Employers need to be ready to face new challenges and solve messy and uneven problems.

Thus 2021 is predicted to be the year of the Great resignation. This is because the pandemic has opened the option to work remotely and many people would prefer to work from home, avoiding the commute to go to work and the extra expenses involved. Data has revealed that employees are more productive in a hybrid work setting. And although research has found out that 70% of the companies will adopt a hybrid culture schedule, not all organizations will do so. Moreover, there is a risk that employers will soon revert back to the old habits since it is difficult to establish and maintain a hybrid culture. This can be a major reason for employees to leave their existing job and lookout for something that will tailor their needs in these unprecedented times.

Moreover, people with the means and savings are rethinking their work/life paradigm as they had over a year to rethink what role they want their work to play in their lives. They are deeply reflecting on the sacrifices they have made previously such as not giving their families or hobbies sufficient time.

As an HR expert, the following actions can prevent employee turnover of a company:

  • Employers should eliminate as much uncertainty as possible about the rules for flexible work hours.
  • Companies need to offer flexibility to minimize the risk of turnover.
  • HR managers can hold listening tours, focus groups, and town halls to understand the high points and the pain points of the employee experience.
  • They need to create a set of philosophies and principles which the employees can adjust to.
  • They need to create a framework for employees to let them know about what sort of work they need to be in the office to complete.
  • HRs should also think about what makes for a great employee experience because that is a driver of retention.

Now is the time for employers to make work more humane, compassionate, and caring.