Why we must rethink how we appeal to today’s workforce

There’s no doubt that the Great Resignation is impacting businesses large and small, so it’s time for leaders to rethink their workplace culture if they want to keep employees happy and attract the best talent, writes Paul McCarthy, Chief People Officer of SevenRooms.

Over the last six months, the so-called ‘Great Resignation’ or ‘Great Reshuffle’ has dominated the media agenda and become an urgent priority for millions of employees and thousands of employers across Australia. In fact, according to data from National Australia Bank, one in five Australians resigned from their job in 2021, and another 25 percent are considering doing so in the year ahead.

For employers today, it’s not a case of if the Great Resignation is here, but how they can alleviate the impact of it.

After a once-in-a-generation event, Australians are understandably in a reflective state, and are re-evaluating what is meaningful to them in both their personal and professional lives. In the wake of the pandemic, today’s workforce is placing greater emphasis on time, autonomy and culture.

According to the LifeWorks Mental Health Index, almost two thirds (60 per cent) of employed Australians think that flexible work is more important to them than career progression. Globally, 76 per cent of employees want to prioritise lifestyle, even if it means taking a reduced salary to do so.

For Australian businesses big and small attempting to attract and retain staff, it’s essential to rethink their employee value proposition.

woman meditating on desk in work office with employees in background

A fundamental shift for employees

As someone who has dedicated my career to understanding and empowering people, I’m fascinated by the shift that’s happening today. People are beginning to understand that while work is a necessity to a means of living, it should also be balanced with being present for friends and family.

The pandemic made us realise time is precious, and while our jobs are a big part of who we are, the truly meaningful moments in our lives often occur outside of the workplace. Work is no longer somewhere we go, but something we do.

Perhaps in no other period in history have workers had more control over how, when and where they work. Time – not money – is now the most valuable commodity.

Businesses who address this fundamental shift and find ways to make their employee interactions more meaningful will become attractive to today’s contemporary, conscientious and empowered workers.

Motivation and meaning

In most instances, it makes little to no difference where and when a team member works. The pandemic taught us we can work just as efficiently at home, around the school run or with other family commitments, as we can between the rigid hours of nine and five in the head office.

By letting people choose where and when they work, you’re incentivising motivation and demonstrating the value of an employee, their time and their personal life. These policies stand out on job advertisements today.

I’ve spent a long time at SevenRooms rethinking what our team needs and wants from us. Our ‘Fresh Start’ policy, for example, gives every new hire their first two weeks of employment as paid leave. We want people to spend their first two weeks with us doing what is meaningful to them and coming into their new role here recharged and refreshed. As important as those two weeks are, it’s about the long-term tone we want it to set. From the moment they join our family, our employees’ time and autonomy is our priority.

Many businesses big and small are implementing similar policies and environments, and many others are doing nothing. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but whether you’re a global tech company or a family-run Australian restaurant, the employers that stand out will be those who recognise that time, freedom and a company’s culture are the new currency of today.

Employees coming and going is inevitable, but by prioritising them and their time, you’ll be able to attract the right people for the right reasons while keeping your team members motivated and excited to be a part of your company’s growth story.

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