Great Resignation is Coming: What can you do?
By Andrew Bundy
News agencies are calling the current work climate “The Great Resignation.” Workers at all levels are leaving their existing jobs, creating what has been alternately called “a worker shortage” or “a worker revolt,” depending on who you talk to.
But is there a way to keep your private practice employees from packing up a banker’s box and heading for the door?
COVID is a Cause
Why did American workers suddenly decide to make a major life or career change all of a sudden? The pandemic might have played a role in that.
According to an article on NPR, “As pandemic life recedes in the U.S., people are leaving their jobs in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time.” NPR goes on to say that 4 million people quit their jobs in April.
The pandemic gave workers a chance to rethink their lifestyle. Some realized that working from home was infinitely better than a long commute. Others took a moment to analyze how they are treated at work and decided to find something else –like the hospitality and restaurant workers, for example.
Those two industries almost completely shut down during the pandemic, giving their people more time to think about their life choices than other industries, which is why those industries led the charge of The Great Resignation.
However, other industries are beginning to follow, especially as managers start demanding their employees return to the office. Realizing that some jobs do not have to be done in a cubicle in an office an hour away from home can drive some people to take a risk and see if the grass is greener somewhere else.
CNBC said that 92% of surveyed workers are considering a career switch, and numbers like those seem to be on the heels of a time period where Americans got to reconsider what should drive them to leave home.
As a busy psychological practice, medical practice, or other business gets back to “normal,” the time may come to rethink that “normal.”
A happy employee stays
One way some experts are suggesting that employers keep people answering the phones or seeing clients is to help the employee feel involved and respected instead of ordered around.
Localwise suggested that business owners should offer new responsibilities instead of just handing them out. They also suggested allowing employees to see the bigger picture, letting them feel like they have a say in the company’s growth. Knowing their preferences might help, too.
For example, some employees may not need to be in the office every day, and they simply don’t want to come into the office anymore now that they’ve seen what working in fuzzy slippers is like.
If they can do their job from home and work is still getting done in a timely manner, then that may be something a practice administrator needs to take into account.
Other methods to keep employees happy is prioritizing work/life balance and even being generous with time off. Harvard Business Review said, “Despite the hard economy, provide sufficient time for sick days, family vacations, new babies, etc. Pacing workflow can be highly beneficial to enduring employee relationships.”
Similarly, allowing your top employees a little more downtime can be beneficial because “…you can be confident they will get their work done as well as enjoy a few extra days of well-deserved time off with family and friends,” said CEO Stacia Pache in an interview with Business News Daily.
The American Genius added that as more workers bet on themselves instead of their companies, employers should look at their work culture and see if they can make changes that will keep people filling essential roles.
In an article about The Great Resignation, the website said, “You can’t expect your workers to be loyal to your business without giving more than a paycheck. Work isn’t just about paying the bills. To stem The Great Resignation, employers need to wake up to giving their workers respect in meaningful ways, not just telling them they’re lucky to have a job, or adding a ping pong table to the office.”
Bet on yourself too
While many workers are using this time as an opportunity to rethink their life choices, business owners and managers have the chance to do the same. NPR tells stories of various workers who are betting on themselves, and their stories might resonate with private practice owners who are barely scraping by, psychiatrists who are barely avoiding burnout, or business partners who have lost the vision of their joint venture. There are some questions that any worker can ask to see if it’s time for a change, according to CNBC.
First, people should re-evaluate what they want in life. Maybe they want fewer hours, or maybe they want more time by the beach. Whatever that is, asking yourself what you want in life will then allow you to evaluate what you need to achieve that goal.
Next, take some time to dust off that old resume. Many people in long-term jobs have not looked at their resume since they got their current jobs. During your time where you are, you have undoubtedly taken on more responsibilities and learned new skills. Even if you are not leaving your current job, evaluating how you’ve grown in your current position might increase your sense of ownership in the job.
Finally, as CNBC says, “Don’t settle.” If you realize you like where you are, then choose to be there. However, if you don’t like it, then chase after what you want. Many experts are saying that this is a job seeker’s market, not the job creator’s market. That means people making a jump in career or deciding to step back and take on less work have a better chance of finding what they’re looking for.
Think of it like a housing market. During a seller’s market, people looking for houses have to settle for what’s available in the market and whatever the seller demands. In a buyer’s market, people looking for houses can make different offers or walk away from deals that they might have felt desperate to accept before. The interview works in both directions, so if you feel like the new opportunity is not a good fit for you, you can walk away.
But, in the end, The Great Resignation is rolling across the country, and both employers and employees have to figure out how to ride that wave. And with many people going virtual, looking at online options for work – or even hiring a virtual assistant – might help The Great Resignation become The Great Opportunity.
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