Post-Pandemic Job Searches Are Changing How Americans Work
Many Americans have experienced a significant change in their work lives in the past couple of years. Job searches and post-pandemic workplaces are different now. Most employees were forced to work outside of the offices for more than a year after the pandemic hit. Although workplaces are hybrid now, there is still a lot to understand about how pandemic-related changes will play out in the long term. On the one hand, the pandemic has changed many lives for the worse; it has also transformed the lives of others by allowing them to re-prioritize their lives.
This blog will discuss how job search trends in the post-pandemic business world have changed how American employees now prefer to work and how job seekers will search for jobs.
Remote work
Post-pandemic job searches show an increased demand for remote work because of its numerous advantages. Remote work takes away work-related stress while working outside of the workplace. It enables employees to experience less stress by spending more time with family and friends and pursuing other interests outside of work, such as exercising regularly, learning new skills, or mastering old ones. Also, it is best suited for parents who cannot arrange or afford a babysitter and individuals with disabilities that restrict them from performing certain activities. or a person who needs to travel outside of their city.
In addition, remote workers have more control over their lives than in their pre-pandemic work-life imbalance. If you are a company leader or an entrepreneur, do not be surprised if more applicants or candidates ask to work remotely.
Hybrid workplace
A hybrid workplace is appealing due to its flexibility and convenience. It also helps employers save money on facility costs related to running an office, such as utilities and maintenance fees for buildings and equipment needed for day-to-day operations. If your company wants to be the future workplace, it needs to be as hybrid as possible.
For employees, they can be out of the office and still be connected with their coworkers remotely without worrying about traffic jams or scheduling meetings around their commute.
Another rising trend in job searches for post-pandemic workplaces is the availability of flexible work hours. The Society of Human Resource Management showed that companies with flexible work arrangements have an average employee turnover rate of 4%. Companies that do not exercise such policies have a turnover rate of 7%.
Flexible work hours
The future workplace will not just have flex-time but also offer the ability to telecommute. Telecommuting is beneficial for potential job seekers, employees, and employers because companies would be able to bring down their operational costs. Flexible work hours will improve the employees’ productivity and efficiency because you will have fewer people leaving work or getting a termination.
Increased pay
Gone are the days when hiring managers could employ a qualified individual at a lower salary because of a broader candidate pool. Because of the labor shortage, employers are looking for talented employees, so employees are demanding higher wages. Job seekers desire a higher salary when conducting job searches in a post-pandemic workplace. Companies need employees to achieve their goals—products and profits—and employees take advantage of the situation to earn a healthy salary. Even low-level positions like entry-level cashiers ask twice as much as before the pandemic.
The salaries had been stagnated since 2012. According to Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average median income for an American household in 2020-21 was 67,521 which is roughly 15% more than the average median income.
Employee discounts
One thing is evident in post-pandemic job searches: job seekers are now demanding a wider variety of benefits that require medical coverage and employee discounts at various shopping malls to save money and pay off their debts.
Job search trends are changing because job seekers are looking for different things in their potential jobs than they were looking for before the pandemic. It is vital to offer a wide range of discounts to your employees to make sure they can all take part in the program and that it’s a reward that will help you get new employees and keep the ones you already have.
For example, the company can partner up with various healthcare providers, entertainment theaters, bookstores, grocers, gas stations, auto dealers, mechanic shops, etc., to provide discounted services to their employees with their valid employee cards.
More empowerment
When it comes to job searching in the post-pandemic workplace, employees are interested in how much of their talent they could use because they are tired of being micromanaged. Because of increased demand for the workforce, more and more employees would favor a company where they are less micromanaged and are somewhat empowered, if not entirely. Empowered employees are productive because they depend on their internal locus of control and believe in personal accountability. Therefore, authorized employees achieve their goals on time and efficiently.
Indeed, employers should promote empowerment because employees who are given responsibility and authority tend to be more loyal, devoted, and productive. For an organization to thrive, it must empower its people with the skills and resources to succeed in various roles.
Work-life balance
More Americans are now looking for jobs that offer a healthy work-life balance. Having a good work-life balance is essential to the well-being of employees and employers. A healthy work-life balance makes them more productive, happier, healthier, and less likely to quit work or get fired. Also, it enables the employer to save money on recruitment costs and helps in boosting employees’ morale throughout the company.
Conclusion
The pandemic has challenged many employers to think outside the box to attract and retain talented employees. Most employers have grown from their struggle to keep their employees from leaving. Also, the employees and job seekers need to adapt to new environments. In doing so, it looks like remote or hybrid work arrangements can help deliver on all these goals, and eventually, help us live fulfilling lives.
Also Read: The Post-Covid Pandemic Workplace