Can Your Company Weather The Great Resignation?
America has been experiencing an unprecedented phenomenon for years that has sometimes been called “The Great Resignation.” Record numbers of workers, especially in the restaurant and accommodation industries, have walked away from their jobs, and many businesses find themselves short-staffed. It began during the pandemic years ago, but we continue to see the effects on businesses not able to find enough skilled workers willing to work.
You don’t have to look far to see the effects of the shortage of workers on everyday life. Almost every restaurant or store you walk into has a “Help Wanted” sign, and you can see the effects of not having adequate staff to help you. Or just trying calling any business’s call center or any governmental agency, and see how long you have to wait on hold. If you are a leader, manager, or small business owner, this is the type of thing that keeps you up at night-loosing customers because you don’t have the staff to serve them.
While all businesses are feeling the heat, I wanted to share some ways to help your company weather this shortage in available workers that has gone on for many years and doesn’t seem like it will be changing anytime soon, and retain the valuable team members that you have.
Pay Fairly
There is a fine line for small businesses in remaining profitable while paying fair wages. However, with increased inflation and shortage in skilled workers, you need to constantly review your staff’s pay and ensure it is competitive and fair. Most companies pay what they do to stay in the black, but there are also plenty of companies that can afford to bump up wages from time to time, and should.
Give Benefits
If you simply cannot increase salaries and stay profitable, try to find other ways to incentivize your staff to stay. Perhaps you can offer more flexibility to working parents who need to do daycare drop off or pick up, or maybe you can encourage team members to take their vacation time to spend with family and not respond to emails and texts while away and you will cover for them. Whatever it looks like for your industry, find ways to make your company an attractive place to work by showing that you care.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
If you’re short-staffed, don’t expect your team members to pick up all the slack. This will likely lead to a snowball effect of more and more employees leaving because they feel overworked and underappreciated. Roll up your sleeves, get in the trenches and take orders and speak with clients. Seeing you on the frontlines alongside them will go a long way to helping your employees feel you care.
Show Your Appreciation
Make sure your employees know that you value them individually for what they contribute to your team. Don’t view them as a collective entity (“the staff”), but take the time to learn the talents each one can contribute. Compliment that staff member who always does a good job dealing with difficult customers or issues, or goes above and beyond. Thank the employee who always makes a fresh pot of coffee. Making them feel appreciated and valued will not only help you manage your team better, but will create a sense of loyalty that can encourage employees to stay.
Pray
Unfortunately, there is a lot in the current job market and economy that we simply can’t control. You could be the best boss in the world and still have difficulty finding and retaining skilled employees willing to work. In these circumstances, all you can do is turn to God. Ask Him to provide staff members and resources to help your team be successful. Remember that even if His answer doesn’t look like what you hoped, He has a plan for you and your business and you need to trust that He is in control.
Since this situation of shortage of skilled workers who are willing to work has existed for many years, it is unlikely to abate any time soon. In the face of uncertainty, all business owners and leaders need to reevaluate how they treat their existing team members to avoid losing the talent that they currently have. However, even the best bosses may be affected and the most important thing we can do is trust God to provide and to guide us in our decision making. And when we do that, we can have peace in the middle of the storm. A peace that your team members will see and greatly appreciate.
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