The great resignation of 2021 has been a huge headline this year. After millions of people lost their jobs in 2020, this year we saw millions of employees voluntarily leave their jobs. What has this taught us?
Each year human resource executives invest millions of dollars to promote workplace engagement. I work for a company that researches employee engagement and workplace cultures across the world. The top companies strive to solidify their spot on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list each year.
Despite the investment to cultivate an engaged workplace culture, about 25% of people voluntarily quit their jobs this year. Further, about 40% have considered leaving their job this year, according to a Microsoft study.
So what can employers do about this?
Here’s my hot take—employers can’t fight this. If somebody isn’t willing, you can’t coerce them to be willing. Even if you do, that willingness won’t be sustainable.
First, the people who left weren’t happy with their jobs. At least, they thought they’d be happier without them. It didn’t fulfill their life’s purpose anymore.
Second, maybe your employee says they can’t be fully bought-in until they see company, departmental, or personal success. But that’s the crux of the issue.
You can’t wait to place your bets in life until you see the deck is stacked in your favor. You have to “buy-in” for the deck to be stacked in your favor.
When is it time to let someone go? Have an open conversation with your employee. The discussion isn’t about their performance, but their willingness to make a plan to improve. If there is no willingness, there is no future together.
If you’re on the other side of this, you might be asking yourself, “When is it time to let go?” Be honest with yourself. If you aren’t enthusiastic about your job, this endeavor, or whatever it may be, move on until you find something that you can buy-into completely.
You might notice these guidelines hold true in HR and also life in general. Just as ‘only work with the willing’ is a rule of thumb for human capital management, it also applies to love relationships. You cannot be with someone who isn’t willing. It takes two to tango.
What are you 100% bought-into in your life right now? Have there been times when you had to be honest with yourself about not being willing anymore? Excited to hear your thoughts on this topic.
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For more posts by E.L. Jayne, you can visit http://www.poemsandprose.travel.blog