Workers are leaving jobs like never before and it is causing a shortage of talent that has companies around the globe reeling. According to a survey conducted by Citrix Systems, Inc., 40 per cent of 1,000 knowledge workers in the US have left at least one job in the past year or are considering doing so. What’s behind the “Great Resignation?” And what can enterprises do to mitigate its impact?
“It is clear from our research that employees today are willing to jump ship for jobs that give them the freedom to do meaningful work from the location of their choice and provide equal opportunities to contribute and advance their careers. And in order to attract the workers they need to move their business forward in one of the tightest labor markets the world has ever seen, companies will need to serve them up,” said Tim Minahan, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Citrix.
Workers are burned out and 35 per cent of respondents to the Citrix survey say it has caused them to leave a job. But they aren’t freaking out. When asked why they opted to move on, only six per cent said they “panicked and made an emotionally driven decision.”
Salary and benefits are important. But they are not what is inspiring workers to seek new roles. Among the participants surveyed who have changed jobs in the last 12 months. Today’s workers prefer flexible arrangements that give them the freedom to choose where they work best, including at home, in the office or on the road. 80 per cent of respondents to the Citrix survey said it was “very” or “somewhat” important that they be able to work from anywhere and 55 per cent said they would accept a pay cut in return for the ability to do so.
Modern workers want to engage in innovative work, be productive and make meaningful contributions to the business that are valued without interference from complex technology and processes. And as the Citrix survey reveals, they’re likely to move on if they cannot. 60 per cent of workers polled left jobs for positions that provide more opportunities to innovate and try new things.
The global pandemic has made clear that remote work can boost employee engagement and productivity. But as companies transition to hybrid models, there is fear it will open a new digital divide. And it is not unfounded. “If left unchecked, hybrid models can quickly establish two classes of workers and infuse the workplace with inequity and bias. The battle for workers has never been more fierce. To remain vibrant, companies must embrace flexible work models that allow them to find talent where it lives. And to keep it, they must create an equitable environment in which employees can engage and collaborate in a transparent and efficient way regardless of where they are located,” Minahan commented.
“Organisations that provide employees with tools that remove the friction from work and enable them to be and do their best will ultimately thrive. Because when employees feel empowered by the solutions they use rather than hamstrung by them, they can focus, innovate and deliver value,” added Minahan.