People don’t leave jobs, they leave managers. While I don’t know who is owed credit for this phrase, it shouldn’t be a surprise that as we transition into a post-covid world, employees are in a position of power and they are using it. With high numbers of resignations, companies are either adapting to the new world, or blaming the people who are leaving.

A study was completed on what Gen-Z looks for in an employer (the results and discussion can be found here: https://www.fastcompany.com/90659243/rip-ping-pong-the-era-of-wacky-office-perks-is-dead?partner=rss&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss&fbclid=IwAR06ep2zUWRPkugsBfcdKjjKv7JA8R4ql6RlPPoAZyCT8Mpv5v_0OdqYuqc ). It points to Gen-Z expecting respect from their managers. While more research will need to be conducted to identify if this is shared with other generations, I think it is fair to assume that many employees of varying generations will be more willing to stay at a job where they feel respected over not. So if you are having trouble keeping employees, ask yourself this question: “What am I doing to show my employees that I respect the needs and wants of them?” I fear that the wrong people will agree with this, and the rest will continue to go down the road of "our industry/department operates this way and we need employees who are willing to adjust…”

I’ll stop you there. Gone are the days that employers can dictate the terms to their employees while underpaying them. While this may be temporary, these winds shift like a pendulum. The companies that can balance pay with respect will come out on top.