The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly catalyzed a shift in which people are prioritizing their wellbeing over big salaries. A recent survey has shown that more than half of the questioned employees consider changing jobs to remote-work opportunities. Even more than half stated that they would skip a promotion if it meant prioritizing their mental health. The pressures of high-powered roles and the exhaustion that comes from being always on just don’t seem worth it anymore. Employees see a greater goal in balancing work with family life and mental health.
This trend seems to be true particularly for younger workers. In an American survey more than a third of people aged 25 to 40 said that they planned to look for new opportunities after the pandemic compared with about a quarter of workers overall. Another survey found that 75% of millennials have resigned from jobs during the pandemic to preserve their mental health.
Since so many people are shifting their mindset around priorities in life and work, the stereotype of professional success seems to be changing too. It has become socially acceptable to want more out of life than money and status. Dramatic change in life is something to applaud now. Many people dare to quit their corporate job to do something new and unexpected in order to follow their dreams. Be it the change from a journalist to an airline pilot or from a quality officer to a farmer. It is no longer about the pay cheque, but about meaningful work. Professional success for many is now about finding happiness in their life.
There are companies emerging to help create more empathetic and inclusive workplaces, such as TLC lions. They help corporate environments overcome challenges faced by storytellers – ordinary people with extraordinary stories. Their service includes subjects of inclusion, such as gender equality and disability; mental health, such as depression and stress management; and talent development, such as leadership skills and people skills. Companies have to focus more and more on creating friendly workplaces in order to fulfill the evolving needs of the workforce. Organizations need to be able to take a step back and answer the question “why do we exist?”. Only if they can answer this question in a compelling way they can attract and retain a purpose-driven workforce.
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