The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many employees to rec-consider their employment situation. Many have realized that there are multiple options as to how and where they can get work done. Employees now prioritize their health and safety as well as their family’s. Among the top considerations for employment is having the opportunity for a healthy work-life balance and the option of remote work. This shift in priorities resulted in a record 4 million people quitting their jobs in April this year. An event the U.S. called “The Great Resignation.”

To understand how employers can turn resignation into retention, here are some insights as to why employees resign:

• Employees have had a taste of working from home during the pandemic. They realize the benefits of having a work system that fits their choice of where to work and/or having the ability to set their own work hours to maximize productivity during their workday.
• As a result of the health crisis, people pay more attention to self-care. They prioritize looking after their health and will take measures to reduce the risk of exposing their loved ones to the COVID-19 virus.
• The lockdowns also prompted people to think about how their values align with the company culture. If the employees strongly share the same corporate values, they are more likely to stay.
• Employees have more time to ponder career development opportunities, compensation, benefits, and recognition given for their work. 

With those in mind, here are some tips to retain your seasoned employees:

1. Encourage a healthy work-life balance.

It is mandated that employers provide a safe working environment for their employees. Stringent measures are taken to ensure that the risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus is mitigated by enforcing safety protocols. However, taking care of your employee’s physical health is not enough. The pandemic poses unique challenges that have affected mental health as well. Allow your employees to decompress by offering stress management programs, better health services, and improved health protocols at work.

2. Provide job security.

Paying fair wages should be a standard. Having benefits available, such as paid time off and flexible scheduling, can go a long way to making your employees feel well rewarded for their work. Employers should also look into supporting a workforce education program to provide employees with opportunities to upskill. This move alone improves employee retention by up to 80%, proving that investing in people strengthens the company.

3. Cultivate a good relationship.

As the saying goes: “People don’t leave their jobs, they leave their boss.” Don’t be that boss. Cultivate good relationships with your direct reports. Give credit and recognition where it is due. Celebrate their wins publicly. Keep lines of communication open and let them know they are listened to. Make time for regular check-ins and catch-ups to make sure that your goals are aligned. 

The pandemic has shifted our priorities and made us look more closely at the things that matter more to us. To encourage your seasoned employees to stay, make them feel that they are an integral part of the business. What are your employee retention tips? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!

Written by Jaie O. TheHelp