The Great Resignation, also called the Big Quit for obvious reasons, is the current phenomenon where people leave their jobs voluntarily to actively change the dynamics of their lives. There can be multiple reasons due to which the employees of different corporations are willingly taking such decisions. Ever since the global pandemic, an increase in people quitting their jobs caused many employers and management to wonder about the reason behind it. Had they simply figured out something else they wanted to do instead?
Now, what exactly is the Great Resignation? It is one of the on-and-off trends which has been going on since the early 2000s but never has history shown a vast increase until the year 2020 or early 2021. The main reason behind this change is undoubtedly Covid-19, which has made a big difference in the lives of almost everybody existing on the planet. Upon research, employees said that they were tired of working under “somebody else” and wanted to perhaps start up a business of their own. A few said they have done with that phase of their lives and now wanted to enjoy it rather than working longer hours. Among these employees, the Resignation trend is even more common for women than for men.
The reason why women have made such decisions is mostly that the pandemic took a toll on their personal and professional lives, which may have already been strained under the weight of inequality. Now they have realized that they can handle their job requirements by working from home, and many realize that it is easier than imagined to look after their children and maintain the household as well.
Furthermore, studies revealed that multiple individuals are trying to find new jobs this year. Women are leaving due to numerous reasons. Some ways that employers can stop or control this situation, especially when it concerns females, are listed below:
Value the Employee Feedback
People are deliberately quitting or resigning from their posts. Sometimes it happens because employees might be facing difficulties at the workplace or with the team they are working with. Employers need to communicate to every person through informal meetings or surveys to help workers share their troubles with the management to find solutions. This creates understanding which makes them feel heard and understand that their important matters are also important to employers. It can make the workplace a more positive place to be in and also keeps the workers comfortable.
Provide Maternity and Paternity Benefits
Nature dicates that it’s the woman’s job to carry a child to term when a couple becomes pregnant. But it’s not only important for companies to provide time off from work to allow mother to bond with a new baby, they also need to need to extend similar benefits if possible to the new child’s fatther. The woman may have to carry the baby per nature’s system, but in a progressive society the men can be just as handy in the situation in the weeks after biirth. And truly progressive companies can make sure that modern nursing stations greet working new mothers. On top of that, some companies may be able to offer help with daycare to further endear themselves to their female employees.
Harassment Issues
Management with careful eyes and protective policies for their employees (especially females) could overcome the losses the company will see due to acts of harassment. Properly designed policies will restrict actions and provide a better and safer place for both men and women working.
With the rise in harassment cases, every corporation needs to keep a strict check and balance with such scenarios by holding constant tabs on the organization’s environment.
Therefore, harassment is one of the reasons that working females resign from their jobs and look for other ones in more reliable environments. Focusing more on this matter will certainly decrease the resignation rate.
Rewards and Incentives
When the employee doesn’t feel praised and rewarded for the work, it eventually causes a mental exertion and a bottom-line dislike for the job they do. For working women, managing things tirelessly in their personal and professional life, work with no award or appraisal strains them. While offering benefits, incentives, or bonuses to employees for their hard work is always the best option to keep your workers happy, it will also aid companies in engaging employees within this trending situation of the Big Quit.
Inequality in earnings
Many companies offer male and female employees different payrolls and career opportunities. This remnant of old world patriarchy needs to be broken.
Now it is quite normal worldwide that female employees will be paid comparatively less than males, even when both do the same sort of work. Generally, it is known as the gender pay gap that has been estimated in recent years. As per research, it would take around 42 days more for a female to earn what men have earned in 2020. It is an unfair situation that needs to be rectified. Inequality leads to a toxic environment for women to work in.
Conclusion
We have discussed some of the ways that organizations can retain female employees during this trendy era of the Great Resignation/the Big Quit. Implementing the strategies for the betterment of both the employers and employees can be a perfect idea for achieving the organization’s goals and can go the extra mile by engaging female talent.
