After initial lockdowns lifted and the world began recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend known as “The Great Resignation” emerged. This phenomenon caused labor shortages in essential industries and record numbers of open positions as nearly 3% of the American workforce quit their jobs.
As the dust settles, industry observers see that rather than leaving the workforce altogether, many employees are shifting careers or looking for different employers. Instead of continuing “The Great Resignation” in 2022, we are entering the era of “The Great Reshuffle.” Workers are now reevaluating their priorities and switching to jobs better suited to their life choices and values.
This article will take a closer look at the ins and outs of “The Great Reshuffle” and how businesses can navigate this phenomenon. What do employees expect from companies? What can businesses do to attract and retain quality talent while “The Great Reshuffle” is ongoing? We’ll answer all these questions and more!
Transforming ‘The Great Resignation’ Into ‘The Great Reshuffle:’ What Do Employees Want?
Amid “The Great Reshuffle,” jobs are plenty, but what workers want from their employers has changed considerably. Because of the tight U.S. labor market, job seekers are now in the driver’s seat, more able to negotiate all of the must-haves for their ideal role. Here are just a few of the items on most job seekers’ wish lists:
Remote or Hybrid Work Opportunities
During the pandemic, remote work was seen as only a temporary necessity; in “The Great Reshuffle,” however, flexible work arrangements have become a preference for many employees. According to a Microsoft study, 70% of employees want to continue working from home even after the pandemic is over. Meanwhile, 66% of businesses plan to redesign their offices to accommodate hybrid work.
Better Work-Life Balance
Many workers, especially those in essential service industries like healthcare, food, and retail, experienced significant pandemic burnout, which is part of the reason why “The Great Resignation” happened. Stress combined with an overwhelming workload caused many employees to reevaluate their chosen careers and leave their industries entirely. To navigate the ongoing effects of “The Great Reshuffle,” businesses must invest in mental health provisions that help workers achieve better work-life balance and reduce stress.
Read More: Job Seekers’ Wishlist 2022: Top 7 Hiring Practices to Implement Amid ‘The Great Resignation’
What Can Companies Do to Accommodate Career Shifters Amid ‘The Great Reshuffle’?
Now that you understand what “The Great Reshuffle” is and what employees want in their ideal employer, let’s talk about what businesses can do about it. To remain competitive in this current labor market, companies must be proactive in changing their hiring and overall business strategies to meet worker preferences and attract the right talents.
#1: Redefine and Strengthen Your Employer Brand
With “The Great Reshuffle,” employees prioritize their well-being and seek more agency in their careers. In turn, employers are rethinking their work models, cultures, and company values to ensure that their business rises above its competitors. One way to attract career shifters to your organization is by strengthening your online brand presence.
One LinkedIn study found that company culture is an essential selling point for many job seekers, with social media engagement rising 67% whenever businesses post about culture on their channels. Employers have also been posting more often about “flexible work” (362% increase between 2019 and 2021) and “well-being” (35% increase).
Social media marketing will be critical in the era of “The Great Reshuffle.” As employees leave their existing jobs and seek greener pastures, businesses will have to make an effort to reach people by making their company mission, vision, and values apparent in their social media posts.
#2: Boost Your Workplace Culture
As discussed previously, company culture is now a critical selling point for job seekers amid “The Great Reshuffle.” An organization with an employee-centric culture and work environment is more likely to attract workers in this competitive job market. Employee engagement and development initiatives will be the key to hiring and retaining talented employees.
According to research shared by Forbes, workers who feel connected to their employers are 75 times more likely to be engaged in their work. That feeling of “connection” will drive workplace culture, ensuring that more employees feel satisfied with their workplace and stay in their current roles.
Another key strategy to boost company culture is investing in employee recognition programs. One survey found that 63% of workers who feel “recognized” at their workplace are less likely to search for a new job actively. Creating a work environment that celebrates workers’ accomplishments and contributions can help fuel an organization’s success during “The Great Reshuffle.”
#3: Be Clear About What’s Expected From New Hires
In one study conducted during “The Great Resignation,” 72% of millennial and Gen-Z workers who switched jobs were surprised to find that their new role or company was entirely different from what they were led to believe during interviews. The same survey found that 80% of these employees feel that it’s fine to leave the new job if it’s genuinely not what was advertised.
Businesses must be clear about workplace expectations and job responsibilities from the start to avoid unnecessary attrition among newly hired employees. Workers are more likely to feel satisfied in their new roles when they enter the situation with their eyes open. Make sure your new hires are adding to, rather than subtracting from, the company culture you’ve built.
#4: Utilize a Character-Based Approach to Recruitment
“The Great Reshuffle” is creating a landscape where having a long-term vision is essential to the success of a business. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, skills that are relevant one moment may not be necessary for the next. On the other hand, a person’s character remains stable over time, making it a more critical characteristic for one’s ideal employee.
Research has found that people’s values rarely change after entering the workforce. As such, workers whose values are aligned with a company’s are likely to remain aligned in the long run. Adding a character interview to your recruitment process can then help your company find workers who are most likely to provide long-term value amid shifting market conditions.
#5: Redesign Your Recruitment and Talent Acquisition Strategies
The traditional recruitment strategies that may have worked for your business in the past may not be as effective in the tight labor market brought about by “The Great Resignation.” Companies must stay informed on the latest talent acquisition trends to navigate the challenges of the current business environment and succeed in hiring the right workers.
One current hiring trend helping businesses thrive amid “The Great Reshuffle” is data-centric recruiting. By utilizing top-of-the-line screening technology and prioritizing data analysis over guesswork, companies can more effectively streamline their recruitment process, hire the right workers for a role, and reduce employee turnover.
Your company’s onboarding process, another essential part of the candidate experience, should also be redesigned. Investing in digital onboarding tools and making a greater effort to personalize a candidate’s onboarding experience can do wonders for employee satisfaction and retention.
Thrive During ‘The Great Reshuffle’ By Partnering With an Experienced RPO Provider
The COVID-19 pandemic may almost be over, but how we think about and perform work may never be the same. Changes brought about by “The Great Reshuffle” may have lasting effects on the U.S. economy, job market, and overall business landscape for years to come. Businesses must adapt and evolve to meet the times, and one way to do that is by working with an RPO provider like SuperStaff.
At Superstaff, we provide a wide range of services, including recruitment process outsourcing, for companies of all sizes and industries. With our innovative RPO solutions, we can help you build the highly competent workforce you need to take your business to new heights.
Our services are flexible and scalable, allowing you to adapt quickly and meet any challenges that come your way. Reach out to us, and let’s talk about how we can help you expand your talent pool amid “The Great Reshuffle!”
