HRE’s number of the day: pandemic-related resignations


40: Percentage of workers who say they plan to leave their organization eventually over how the employer handled the pandemic

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What it means for HR leaders

The findings indicate a disconnect between executives’ view of their effort to support employees through the pandemic and what workers have experienced. While 86% of executives surveyed said their companies demonstrated commitment to employees last year, more than half of employees said they hoped their companies would provide more support.

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Although some employers have stepped up in terms of helping employees during COVID-19–with many relying on new or enhanced programs and benefits–workers largely say the pandemic is the most stressful time of their life and report soaring amounts of depression, anxiety, burnout and stress. Other research has indicated that employees dealing with new childcare challenges during COVID-19, particularly women, are considering quitting their jobs or leaving the workforce altogether because of difficulties being able to juggle both responsibilities.

Related: Mayer: 7 benefit trends to watch in 2021

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“Ultimately, this tells us is that there is an opportunity to better support and enable employees through transitions, change or disruption, whether they are taking on a new role, taking on additional responsibilities or working from another location,” says Lilith Christiansen, chief strategy and product officer at SilkRoad Technology. “It’s imperative to have regularly cadenced communication and check-ins, ample training and clarity around performance goals and expectations to drive retention and deliver a better employee experience that yields results.”

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Kathryn Mayer
Kathryn Mayer is HRE’s former benefits editor and chair of the Health & Benefits Leadership Conference. She has covered benefits for the better part of a decade, and her stories have won multiple awards, including a Jesse H. Neal Award and honors from the American Society of Business Publication Editors and the National Federation of Press Women. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Denver.