In contrast to the Great Recession a dozen years ago, today’s “Great Resignation” is witnessing more and more employees leaving their current jobs in search of something new and different. More than half of workers intend to seek a new job this year, according to the Society for Human Resources Management. While this has sent many companies and HR teams scrambling, workers today have an abundance of options when it comes to finding their next position or career.
Experts predict an incredible hiring boom in 2021 as the Great Resignation has coincided with the Great Reopening of the U.S. economy. More companies are bringing back furloughed employees or those who have been working from home and updating their hiring plans for the months to come. Industries that were hit hard by the pandemic are rebounding.
What does this mean for workers across the country? Opportunity.
Job seekers will have more options—and more incentives—than they’ve seen in a long time. To entice new talent, companies are upping salaries and benefits, offering more flexible work schedules and creating appealing office spaces.
In addition, more businesses across the country are updating their hiring and retaining procedures with the goal of creating more satisfied long-term employees. Job seekers are emboldened to ask for more flexible scheduling, support with childcare or eldercare, and mental health support.
Companies that recognize the need for employee-forward programs and hiring practices are likely to come out ahead as the Great Resignation begins to shift into the Great Hiring.