{"id":23665,"date":"2021-08-25T08:00:29","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T13:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/?p=23665"},"modified":"2024-01-16T09:45:30","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T15:45:30","slug":"preparing-your-accounting-firm-for-the-great-resignation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/preparing-your-accounting-firm-for-the-great-resignation\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing your accounting firm for the great resignation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 4 million employees in the United States quit their jobs in July, according to a 2021 release<\/a> from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This trend of widespread job exits was dubbed \u201cThe Great Resignation\u201d in May 2021 by Anthony Klotz, an associate professor of management at Texas A&M University. In a Bloomberg interview<\/a>, Klotz warned that, \u201cthe many pandemic-related epiphanies\u2014about family time, remote work, commuting, passion projects, life and death \u2026 [are making] people turn their back on the 9-to-5 office grind.\u201d<\/p>\n

While many are skeptical of such an exaggerative term, the data certainly supports Klotz\u2019s foreboding. Following\u00a0COVID-19<\/a>, many employees are resigning from their jobs and pursuing alternative options for their careers. The Monster Job Index<\/a> shows that 95% of employees are thinking about changing their jobs in the near future.<\/p>\n

As we all adjust to a post-COVID world, I believe there are many proactive measures that we can take in our firms to attract and retain high-quality staff, even as many businesses grapple with an influx of resignation letters from their employees.<\/p>\n

Provide hybrid or remote work options<\/h2>\n

Amid all of the negative aspects of 2020, Pew Research noted that 33% of Americans<\/a> appreciated being able to spend more time with their spouse, children, and other family members. As pandemic restrictions ease up in many areas throughout the United States, many employees are taking action on a renewed perspective regarding their work, their relationships, and the balance between the two.<\/p>\n

Having experienced the flexibility of remote work during the pandemic, many employees are demanding it become part of their company\u2019s \u201cnew normal.\u201d Companies like Apple<\/a> and Twitter have introduced hybrid work schedules<\/a>, while Spotify is implementing a \u201cremote-forever\u201d policy<\/a>. In 2020, my firm switched to a hybrid work model<\/a>, which offered us more flexibility and an improved work-life balance for my team and me. I\u2019d recommend asking your staff whether they\u2019d prefer a hybrid, remote, or flextime schedule<\/a>. Then, as you move to a remote or hybrid work model, make sure you:<\/p>\n