UNRAVELING THE GREAT RESIGNATION: A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE WORKFORCE EXODUS PHENOMENON

Year 2023, Volume: 10 Issue: 4, 160 - 165, 31.12.2023

Melike Artar , Yavuz Selim Balcıoğlu

Abstract

Purpose- The Great Resignation, a profound labor market shift following the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen employees globally re-evaluate their work-life priorities. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on this phenomenon, aiming to consolidate existing knowledge, identifying research gaps, and offer insights to various stakeholders.
Methodology- A systematic literature search was conducted using defined keywords such as "Great Resignation," "workforce trends," and "remote work" across multidisciplinary databases Web of Science and Scopus. Publications spanning 12 categories, including refereed articles, conference papers, and reviews, were reviewed to distill the essence of existing research.
Findings- The Great Resignation underlines a pivotal movement where work-life balance, health, safety, and job contentment surpass conventional job security. Contributing factors include blurred boundaries between professional and personal spheres due to remote work, health risks in the workplace, and a general rethinking of career choices following the pandemic. The increase in workloads and the stress of the global health crisis have accelerated burnout, making many seek healthier work environments. In addition, changes in cost of living and inflation have further fueled this trend. The phenomenon poses significant challenges for organizations, from talent retention to operational disruptions.
Conclusion- Addressing the Great Resignation requires adaptive strategies from employers. The flexibility of work options, the prioritization of mental health, the availability of competitive compensation, and the maintenance of transparent communication emerge as essential. Governments, too, play a crucial role by ensuring policies that support worker rights, offer financial aid, and promote skill development. This review underscores the need for more empirical research to understand long-term impacts across various sectors and demographics and to develop effective retention strategies. The findings also provide a foundation for policymakers, business leaders, and academics to strategize and navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the Great Resignation in the post-pandemic era. Future research directions include an in-depth exploration of sector-specific impacts, demographic variations, and long-term economic implications.

Keywords

Great resignation, workforce, Boolean operators, motivation, turnover ntention, millennials

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