This recession has been extremely difficult for everyone. Companies have been forced to reduce staff, so those left have needed to carry extra loads. This has pushed some employees to the breaking point. According to recent studies and articles, 50% – 70% of current employees are planning to change jobs once the market improves. Many will be leaving work and not looking back. How would it impact your company if some of your top people left?
I believe that most will leave with little or no notice. Approximately 5% of those heading to greener pastures will want to sabotage your company. In their minds it is payback for all of the additional stress they have had to suffer.
So how can you advert this train wreck? Start showing appreciation for all the hard work they have been doing. “Thank you” is powerful a powerful term, which will help raise morale, but it must be genuine. If providing gratitude is a new management style, expect resistance. These over worked, under appreciated (their view) employees may be suspicious at first, but you can change the entire atmosphere at work in a few weeks.
The good thing is that you have a little time, since the job market is not expected to change in the near future, but you never know when a key player will receive a new job offer. So it time to help your employees enjoy coming to work.
Ken Cole
A Second Look Business Consulting
