The Great Gloom

Another week, another workplace term. Previous episodes have explored: The Great Resignation, Great Reshuffle, Great Regret and the Big Stay. Among others. The latest one is not very upbeat – but here it is. The Great Gloom.

The term “Great Gloom” has emerged to describe the prevailing sense of unhappiness and discontent among employees. 😔  I’m not sure exactly how this squares with the (projected) Big Stay, but it’s worth considering.

The term Great Gloom sprang from a recent BambooHR report where it was reported that employee happiness has been in steady decline since 2020. Employees no longer are engaging in workplace highs and lows. Rather, they are shifting to resignation and apathy. Author Jen Lim reports that disengaged teams cost the global economy an estimated $8.8 trillion annually so this isn’t just an innocuous case of “the blues”.

Employers should keep an eye out for this trend and perhaps take proactive steps to address the Great Gloom. Otherwise, they risk losing company productivity, valuable talent and hindering their overall success. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️📉

Here are some key strategies for combating the Great Gloom:

1️⃣ Encourage Open Communication: 🗣️👂

Foster a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable expressing their concerns and suggestions. Regular feedback sessions and one-on-one meetings can be valuable tools for identifying and addressing issues.

2️⃣ Promote Work-Life Balance: ⚖️🧘‍♀️🥗

Encourage employees to prioritize their well-being by taking breaks, utilizing PTO, and engaging in activities outside of work. A healthy work-life balance can boost morale and reduce stress.

3️⃣ Recognize and Reward: 🥇🏆🙏

Show appreciation for employees’ hard work and accomplishments. Timely and genuine recognition can significantly boost morale and engagement.

4️⃣ Promote Growth and Development: 🌱🎓💡

Provide opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and develop their skills. Investing in their professional development demonstrates that you value their contributions and are committed to their growth.

5️⃣ Foster a Sense of Belonging: 🫂🤝👭👬

Create a workplace culture that values team values, inclusion, and belonging. Encourage team building activities, and promote an environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

Between the Great Gloom and the Big Stay, I think we are in for an interesting ride in Q1 of 2024. Either way, the war for talent is still pretty darn competitive. Staying on top of recent workplace trends and getting out front of potential issues are always good strategies.

#warfortalent #workplacetrends #cpacareers #careercoach