The Great Resignation: Understanding Employee Attrition in 2023

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
Employee attrition in 2023 is a significant concern for employers as the phenomenon known as the “Great Resignation” continues to impact the job market. This article delves into the trends contributing to high employee turnover rates and provides valuable insights into retaining top talent and attracting new hires in a fiercely competitive job market. Understanding the Great Resignation Trends The job market in 2023 is characterized by increased employee attrition. To understand and address this trend, it’s essential to consider the following factors: Burnout: Many employees are experiencing burnout due to increased workloads and the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life in remote work settings. Employers should focus on supporting mental health and promoting work-life balance. Career Reevaluations: Some employees are reevaluating their careers and seeking roles that align better with their values and long-term goals. Employers can engage in transparent discussions about career development opportunities within the company. Flexible Work Preferences: Employees have come to appreciate the flexibility that remote and hybrid...
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Remote Interviewing: How to Tell If the Job Is Right for You

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
Whether you’re interviewing in-person or remotely, there’s always a lot to think about when judging whether an opportunity is the right one for you. Below, we’ll cover what to think about when going through the interview process, from considering your skillset to testing the culture and more. Many people prefer to work from home, particularly if they have children, or just like the freedom. If a job description includes remote work, that’s great news for you! But before you jump in and apply, here are some things to consider: 1. Is it remote? You might be a perfect fit for the job, but the fact that it’s remote might not mean what you think. Many employers advertise their jobs as “remote” even though they require you to work in an office one day per week. This could be a deal-breaker if you can’t take a day off of work to go into the office. It sounds silly, but it happens all the time! 2. Will...
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Show your team some love, or don’t manage people at all

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
Successful managers build confident and cohesive teams by making a conscious effort to engage. They do it consistently, too. Balancing the state of work with life at work One-on-one meetings are not always meant for status updates on the state of work. There are many better ways to address your agenda without having to meet in-person all the time (see: Flock's Channels, Notes, To-Dos, and other tools). It's a people update. It's a set time for them to share with you what's on their mind and wax poetic about their current and future life at work. Too often, managers forget what it was like when they were new and junior. There's psychological and emotional inertia (in the "an object at rest stays at rest" sense) for employees who have something important to discuss. It's easier if they don't have to make a special effort. It’s partly incumbent upon you to initiate discussions in their best interest, especially for introverts who need help coming out of their shell. The employee...
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Don’t Manage People—Lead them

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
Managing people as projects can achieve results but leading people goes far beyond the immediate results. Leading people develops teamwork, shared vision, and a common mission. A few years ago my wife and I were binge-watching episodes of The Good Wife. We loved to hate it. For me, one of the shows glaring flaws was the almost total lack of leadership skills. Time after time the “managing” partners ignored the needs of their staff, pitted employees against one another, played favorites, and attempted to use fear and intimidation as motivators. Either the writing staff has a warped view of leadership, or they’ve purposely created a dysfunctional operation. I’m not certain which. Regardless, it’s a good example of what not to do. ...
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3 Tips to Make Business Ownership Less Complicated Now

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
The entrepreneurial lifestyle has never been a piece of cake. And now, it's barely akin to a day-old iced doughnut. Since the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and its sweeping economic, social, and health effects, business owners and CEOs are being bombarded with tons of challenges. They're attempting to keep engagement and corporate culture high, as well as onboarding employees -- many of whom they've only met online while conducting virtual interviews. At the same time, leaders are spending tons of time investigating organizational relief packages to keep access to capital from trickling to a drip. And they're doing it all knowing that no one knows what's around the bend. ...
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Covid-19 Impact on Distribution of Available Job Openings

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the employment sector hard across the world with job losses being recorded in millions. Closer home, the Kenyan job market has not been spared by the scourge. Over one million people in Kenya lost their jobs due to companies closing down or businesses downsizing to survive the economic downturn brought about by the pandemic. In some instances, sectors like the hospitality and travel industries have faced total shutdowns, forcing companies to send their staff home on unpaid leave or layoffs.Read more...
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90 Percent of Remote Workers Are Now Ignoring the ‘First Things Rule’

by Judith Kiruja Comment Closed
This is a story about the difference between working from home in theory and working from home in practice--and a key rule that everyone is now ignoring. But to put it in context, we need to acknowledge two big things. First, while employees have been asking for more flexibility for years, there's been a lack of good research on remote work productivity. That's because, historically, it's been hard to find groups of workers who do the exact same jobs--but where a significant number work from home, and a significant number work in an office. ...
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