The Great Resignation

What are the triggers causing this global phenomenon? General Manager at Talent International and APSCo Vice-Chair, Anthony Whyte explains.

One of the things that great, intuitive leaders do is watch global trends, especially in markets such as the United States and United Kingdom, specifically for insight of what is likely to occur here in Australia in months to follow.

Perhaps the most topical talking point (other than COVID-19) is around the Great Resignation.

We have seen more than 15 million Americans quit their jobs since April 2021 and experts believe it will hit Australia around March 2022 (if it isn’t here already).

So, what are the triggers causing this global phenomenon?

COVID-19 in simple terms has changed the way we work. Many employees were forced into flexible working arrangements, and unsurprisingly they liked the flexibility that it brought. So essentially, the Great Resignation is being fuelled by a major shift in how people think and go about their work and their lives.

Many people are choosing flexibility, working less hours, and taking on less responsibility over career ambition and long hours.

The pandemic has resulted in people’s ability to work from home or remotely, cutting out commutes, allowing greater flexibility, and being able to spend more time with family and friends. Not surprising, workers won’t give this up easily and if companies don’t provide them, people will resign.

My concern is that we are seeing people quit their jobs without anything lined up. They are tired due to too many video meetings, additional workloads and just feeling underappreciated.

There is now a clear “shifting of power" from employers to employees. Companies that will win the war for talent will be: where there is clear purpose and meaning, those that listen and engage their staff, offering competitive salaries and hybrid working arrangements, offering training and skills development, and the ones with a true company culture that clearly resonates with its people.