The year 2021 was a banner year for quitting jobs: More than 40 million Americans quit, most of them looking for higher pay and better working conditions. To prevent ‘The Great Resignation’ from continuing in 2022, companies are finding creative ways to keep the troops happy.
Here are some of the best ideas to increase staying power:
#5: Offer amazing childcare
Moms have been quitting in droves to take care of the little ones during the pandemic, but not at Patagonia. The outdoor clothing company has been providing subsidized on-site childcare for decades at headquarters, complete with a climbing wall and vegetable garden. The company will also bus school-aged kids back to work and send caretakers with parents on business trips. Policies like this have helped them retain new moms in record numbers.
#4: “Stay” interviews
We’ve all heard of exit interviews, right? But these one-on-one meetings are being held before employees get up and quit. They’re billed as a safe space to allow workers the chance to talk about what’s working at the company — and what isn’t.
#3: 4-day work week
Panasonic and Microsoft Japan have joined the growing list of companies to test the 4-day work week. While it might be too early to call it a tipping point, the results suggest shorter weeks are a boon to mental health while improving productivity. When Microsoft Japan did a test run in 2019, it found productivity jumped 40%.
#2: Set your own salary
At Argentinian company 10Pines, the staff regularly gets together to set policies, budgets and yes, staff salaries. In front of everyone, the employee (or mentor on their behalf) can put themselves up for a raise, which is then openly debated.
#1: Pay them to quit
Software company Trainual has a deal for new hires: $5,000 to quit after two weeks. The philosophy: If a new team member isn’t happy, now is the time to take the money and run. Since the program started, the company says no one has taken the quit bait. Trainual CEO Chris Ronzio said, “It’s a powerful thing for them to turn down the cash, opt in, and commit.”
