Experts considered the Great Resignation to be a knock-on effect of the coronavirus pandemic as people worldwide re-evaluated their lives. But with restrictions lifted and life returning to normal, resignations haven’t waned, and until the deeper-rooted factors causing workers to quit are addressed, the storm of resignations is unlikely to calm.
More than 6.5 million Brits could resign in the next year, research from the CIPD has found, with better pay and benefits the most common motivator behind a job move. The cost-of-living crisis is driving workers towards the search for a higher salary, and as people are living longer, health is becoming a greater priority.
National Work Life Week is an opportunity for both employers and employees to reflect on wellbeing at work and work-life balance and consider how the workplace needs to be reinvented to meet the need of workers today and in the future. Retention and employee engagement are at the top of the agenda for companies in multiple sectors, and wellbeing initiatives can make a huge difference to employee resilience, performance and productivity.
Global aviation services group, Air Partner, appointed a dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) manager, Greg Charman, last August. Part of Greg’s role is creating tools and opportunities to encourage healthy wellbeing amongst staff, resulting in the development of a dedicated Healthy Lives, Healthy Minds Group to drive initiatives forward.
Greg explains, “Ultimately, we want happy and healthy staff, and continuing to take care of our people will help us achieve that. We’ve opened our office spaces to allow staff over 40 to have their free NHS Health Check at work to make it easy for staff to access a service that everyone is entitled to. We’re also working with the training provider Miss Menopause to raise awareness of the menopause at work and support women who go through this life event with dignity and respect.”
The menopause is often a ‘taboo’ subject at work, despite symptoms that can be debilitating. Research shows that 10% of women leave their jobs, and many reduce their hours or pass up promotions because of their symptoms.
Greg adds, “The aviation industry is still very much a male-dominated environment, but that doesn’t mean that women’s issues should fall on the backburner. We hope that educating our team about the menopause will encourage and normalise more open conversations so that we can support more female staff that may be struggling with symptoms.”
Air Partner Group has also introduced Mental Health First Aider Training to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental ill health, boost confidence in dealing with issues and promote early intervention which enables recovery. With resignations continuing to roll in at record rates, more organisations will undoubtedly follow suit and ensure employee wellbeing is placed at the top of their agenda.