The Great Resignation

Do you need to think about the ‘Great Resignation?’ 

The term “Great Resignation” refers to a significant increase in the number of employees voluntarily leaving their jobs across various sectors and gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. This continues to be a relevant phenomenon in the UK workforce and something organisations of all shapes and sizes are becoming increasingly aware of. 

But what is the ‘Great Resignation’ and what caused it?  

The pandemic resulted in many individuals reassessing their priorities to consider whether their current jobs align with their values and personal goals. Many people at this time – and since, have experienced burnout, increased stress, and a desire for a better work-life balance, leading them to seek alternative career paths, take time off or start their own business. 

Additionally, remote work arrangements became more prevalent during the pandemic. This shift has allowed employees to experience greater flexibility and autonomy in their work lives. As a result, many individuals have decided to leave their current jobs if they feel employers are not willing to accommodate remote or flexible work arrangements in the long term. 

The impact of the Great Resignation on the UK workforce has been significant. It has led to resource shortages in certain industries, making it challenging for businesses to find and retain skilled workers. Organisations are facing increased competition for talent and are having to rethink their recruitment and retention strategies to ensure their staff feel valued at work and supported with their wellbeing. 

Higher turnover rates have financial implications on businesses due to the costs associated with hiring and training new employees. When experienced and knowledgeable staff leave there is understandably a big impact on productivity, morale, and overall organisational performance. 

On the positive side, the Great Resignation has created opportunities for individuals to pursue new careers, start their own businesses, or engage in freelance work. It has also prompted employers to re-evaluate their workplace policies and employee benefits to attract and retain talent. 

How can I improve my workplace culture and employee engagement? 

If you’ve not considered how to improve your workplace culture recently, then now is the time to do so!  With increased competition for talent and staff now voting with their feet, can you afford not to? 

Here are some policies you might want to review and improve if you haven’t done so recently: 

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 
• Flexible Working Policy 
• Wellbeing Strategy 
• Reward and Recognition 

We are passionate about organisational culture and if you would like a no obligation chat to discuss some ideas, over a virtual coffee, we’d love to hear from you. We have a team than can help with lots of experience in multiple sectors, and we also have access to a team of experts and ambassadors who can provide valuable support and training in some of the above areas. Just drop us an email at hello@smile-box.co.uk to book in a call.