Post-Pandemic World: Shift in workers’ priorities & how it will impact companies

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted not just how we work, but also our priorities when looking for jobs. During the outbreak, the desire for work-life balance and flexible working arrangements has grown at a rapid pace. Candidates’ top goal now is work-life balance, just as it was before the pandemic. Additionally, flexibility is what employees are looking for these days.

According to a McKinsey & Company analysis, mental health has been a key challenge for 62 % of employees globally during the COVID-19 crisis, with higher reporting among varied groups.

Because of this, candidates are reconsidering how they select a company. The most important priorities for job searchers, according to LinkedIn’s Talent Drivers Survey, are work-life balance, compensation and benefits, and colleagues and culture.

Work-life balance has already been a top worry for candidates at the outset of the pandemic, and it’s only going to become more important as remote work gets more commonplace. The most significant shift in applicant priorities is the increasing importance of flexible work arrangements and the importance of creating an inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds.

The chart below shows how post-COVID priorities vary between generations, according to LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index Survey.

When it comes to seeking a new work opportunity, 50 % of respondents said that flexibility of hours or location has become more essential to them post-COVID. That’s the fastest-growing component, followed by work-life balance 45 %, benefits such as health coverage 41 % pay percent, and workplace culture 36 %.

Why Flexibility?

Employees prioritise flexibility in their answers to changing conditions in a quickly changing work world. Flexibility is essential for an employee’s well-being and ability to excel in the workplace. Employees demand access to flexible solutions that help them maintain a healthy work-life balance. Teleworking, flexible work schedules and additional personal time off are examples of this.

A FlexJobs survey found that 84% of working parents ranked flexibility ahead of money.

Unfortunately, many companies are still resistant to this idea and think people can only be productive if they are sitting at a desk in a traditional office.

Work-life balance:

Employees are increasingly seeking jobs with companies that have a strong company culture.

Maintaining a work-life balance reduces stress and helps to prevent job burnout. With the millennial generation expected to account for 75% of the workforce by 2025, many business leaders believe it’s time to rethink what work-life balance means.

As per Mental Health Foundation addressing well-being at work increases productivity by as much as 12%.

Compensation & Benefits:

Employees in today’s job market expect generous benefits packages, which is critical for attracting and maintaining top talent. Health insurance, flexible working hours, and vacation time are all advantages. A comprehensive employee benefits package can aid in attracting and retaining top employees. Incentives are a terrific method to keep your employees motivated to perform their jobs to their full potential.

According to the experts at Sodexo, the best employee incentive plans make workers feel they are valued.

(Author: Abdul Rafeeq is a Social Media Coordinator bursting with creative ideas at TechDoQuest.)