UAE jobs: 5 ways to prevent trends like 'the great resignation', 'quiet quitting'

With workplace trends like 'the great resignation' and 'quiet quitting' going viral, experts have said that the right job is about more than just salaries.

"A strong work-life balance is more important," Tibet Eğrioğlu, VP, Adecco Group, a global HR solutions firm, told Khaleej Times. "In fact, roughly a quarter of people leaving their jobs are going to a job that pays less because it offers something they value more, such as a better company culture."

Over the last couple of years, people are becoming so dissatisfied with work that they are either resigning or quiet quitting, the expert said.

Certified life coach and mentor, and leadership and work culture activist, Niousha Ehsan, said people are quiet quitting to avoid burnout.

"When employees do not feel fulfilled, they want to do the bare minimum to get the job done ... They are not willing to go above and beyond, and work becomes a checklist to get the job done, rather than giving their best to excel at what they do," said Ehsan, who is the chief energy officer of Dubai-based LINKVIVA.

How to retain talent

1. Workplace boundaries: No work after work hours

Eğrioğlu said one way to reduce the quiet quitting situation could be if managers could enforce work boundaries and rules for no emails or work calls after work hours whatsoever.

2. Celebrate employees

According to Ehsan, employers and leaders should create an environment where people do what they do "because they want to, not because they have to."

"Employers can retain talent by celebrating their employees, providing a positive work environment — where employees are happy to come into work and feel confident speaking their mind — and giving employees plenty of opportunities to grow and step up with support."

3. Questions to ponder over

She said work-related problems that employees may face usually be focused around the organisation's culture and workers' personal situation.

Employers should ask themselves these questions:

• Why companies must hire workers who are eager to learn on the job