Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Employees who quit have realized this 1 missing thing about their job

Employees who quit have realized this 1 missing thing about their job

Before your employee gives notice, they’ve likely made this personal realization about their sense of security.
As the pandemic continues on with the surge of the delta variant, there are no signs of the “Great Resignation” slowing down. Fifty-five percent of Americans anticipate looking for a new job over the next 12 months, according to one study conducted in August. Companies continue to struggle to retain talent because leaders don’t understand the real reason why people are resigning.

According to a recent McKinsey study, one of top reasons people are resigning has nothing to do with compensation, work–life balance, or mental health. One of the top reasons people have resigned is they didn’t feel a sense of belonging at work. And those employees from historically marginalized communities are more likely to say they left because they didn’t feel like they belonged in their organizations.

It’s not the Great Resignation; it’s the “Great Awakening.” Individuals are waking up to the realization that they deserve to be in organizations that respect and support them. Many leaders are busy chasing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, and wanting to increase the diversity of representation on their teams. Yet those same leaders must be equally focused on ensuring all individuals feel like they have a place in their organizations.

Here are three questions leaders must ask themselves to ensure that individuals feel like they belong at their organizations:

ARE YOU CONSISTENTLY FOCUSED ON BUILDING COMMUNITY?
It has never been more important to be intentional about building community across your organization. A sense of community is key to belonging, and a key driver of retention. Be consistent with all company and team gatherings where you share updates and ensure people feel like they are part of the mission. Talk about your organization’s failures and struggles, and celebrate the big and small wins. Make everyone feel like they own a piece of the mission to deepen engagement and commitment.

Ensure new employees feel a connection to the company, in particular if they are onboarding virtually or are the only Black or brown talent on the team. Pair new joiners with current employees and encourage them to build work friendships. Help facilitate introductions to employees in other parts of the organization. If you have employee resource groups, this can be a good place to start to find community. According to a recent study from employee experience platform Eko, people are 10 times more likely to stay in a job if they have work friends, even if they are offered more money elsewhere. So don’t underestimate the importance of friendships and a sense of community in deepening belonging.

HOW ARE YOU SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES DURING MOMENTS IMPACTING THEIR COMMUNITIES?
Our colleagues of color continue to not only battle the pandemic, but are living in a racism pandemic. According to the American Psychological Association, racism is associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as contributing to development of cardiovascular and other physical diseases. Ensure that your organization is acknowledging and discussing events impacting Black/African American employees, Asian American team members, colleagues from Afghanistan, veterans, and other communities. Let them know that you see what is unfolding on our screens and in our social media feeds.

Offer access to one-on-one counseling and group sessions to support colleagues and let them know your organization stands with them as an ally. Modern Health is a mental health platform offering resources that are accessible, personalized, and culturally centered. They offer Circles that are designed to be spaces to collectively learn, grow, and connect across topics including “Healing Asian Communities” and “Healing Black Communities.” Modern Health has also designated a number of their sessions free to the public, led by top therapists and coaches who specialize in the areas they support.

DO YOU CHECK IN CONSISTENTLY TO SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE DOING?
Leaders must ensure they spend dedicated weekly one-on-one time to check in on how employees are doing. One on ones are one of the most important tools at a leader’s disposal to ensure employees feel seen, heard, and feel like they have a place on your team. Be sure to prioritize this valuable time to connect with employees.

Don’t spend this time simply reviewing deliverables and progress on projects. Do spend this time checking in on how they feel about working at your organization, particularly if they are the only Black or brown talent on the team. Ask them what you can be doing specifically to support them and create an environment where they feel like they are part of the team.

Finally, ask employees why they choose to stay. Ask them what would make them leave. Be prepared to hear something you might not like or might disagree with. And be prepared to take accountability and action on how you and the organization can ensure they feel like they can belong. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when they walk out the door. Because in this Great Awakening, individuals are now demanding to work in organizations where they are respected and supported, and where they feel like they belong.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×