Companies need to attract the best and the brightest talent to position themselves for continued and new success. Here’s a look at what organizations can do to differentiate themselves as top employers and ensure they’re attracting top talent in 2022.

The Great Resignation

Across industries and demographics, people quit their jobs in 2021. According to data by people analytics firm Visier, 1 in 4 employees left their roles. While it’s certainly common to see some professional turnover, particularly among younger employees, they weren’t the only ones changing things up in 2021. The most significant increase in resignation rates were employees between 30 and 45 years old, with an average increase of more than 20% between 2020 and 2021. While organizations are eager to fill vacant roles, many potential employees are not yet ready to return to the workforce. Plummeting employment figures, paired with low reports of job searching among the unemployed, have shifted the economic landscape in favor of workers. With so many jobs available, workers are optimistic about their job opportunities and are comfortable waiting for the most suitable role and opportunity.

What Employees Want

The biggest lesson over the past few years is that employees want more from their employers, and they won’t accept less. Flexibility is paramount: according to PWC’s Workforce Pulse Survey, nearly half of Gen Z (45%) and millennial (47%) employees surveyed said they are willing to give up 10% or more of their future earnings in exchange for the option to work virtually from almost anywhere. No longer required to live within commuting distance of the workplace, many workers have relocated to areas that better suit their lifestyles. While most employees still find networking and professional value in going into the office, they want to do it only part of the week, and during times that work best for them. Workers are also eyeing more time off. According to McKinsey’s future of work-study, 65% of employees left their jobs to restore work-life balance. Employees are burnt out and searching for opportunities that provide a greater sense of consistency in their lives. This goes beyond vacation time and manageable work hours. The feeling of being valued and connected is crucial. Employees want to work for a company that prioritizes outcomes over output and supports holistic wellbeing. Being trusted and valued by their manager and company in an environment where they’re given the autonomy to work independently is vital. In addition, the potential to grow is incredibly desirable. Employees want to learn new skills to grow their careers and see it as imperative to their future career path.

What this Means for Employers

Across industries, workers are redefining what they need to work successfully. To remain competitive, employers need to focus on the overall employee experience and workplace strategy, including things like increasing investment to ensure employees can collaborate no matter their location. Connection will be key: technology-enabled collaboration spaces and training programs will bring together remote and on-site team members and encourage cross-service line engagement. To demonstrate their commitment to wellbeing, organizations should implement or expand policies around employee time off, mental health, and community engagement. Finally, to successfully roll out these initiatives and attract new employees, managers need to be equipped with soft-skills training and hybrid team management practices to foster a dynamic and productive work environment.

Portions of this article originally appeared on the Cresa website.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

Here are some suggestions on how to spend your break time more wisely to help improve your well-being and overall productivity. 

Exercises 

To exercise, you do not need gym equipment. You just need yourself, some physical space, and time. Luckily, breaks at work tend to provide all three of these conditions. 

Exercise has been proven time and time again to reduce mental fatigue, while improving feelings of depression, anxiety, and physical fatigue. 

Some ways to exercise on breaks can consist of stretching or long walks –in other words, exercise workers can do while still having the ability to talk, because you won’t be too out of breath. This may be preferable as such exercises allow you to reap all of the benefits of regular general exercise, without returning to the office all sweaty. 

Read   

The trope that “reading is not for everyone” is nonsense. Some may prefer the idea that those who do not read have simply yet to find a book suited to their tastes.   

Use your break to consider the things you are interested in. This could be as simple as your love for sports or fashion. No matter what it is, you can expand the dimensions of your interest by bolstering it with the beautiful information conveyed about it in books.

It isn’t just that reading can expand your understanding of your interests. It is also good for your brain, well-being, and productivity. In fact, reading can help you speak clearer and with a greater grasp of language, which is sure to benefit your performance at work. 

Get lunch or coffee with a coworker 

The modern-era is surely the most socially isolated.  

Many find it challenging to make friends at work, and when we are on our breaks, it is palpably clear that people prefer to spend their breaks alone –as is indicated by their being glued to their phones. 

Social isolation, however, can bring with it devastating health consequences, including but not limited to heart problems. As we get older, and old friends begin to have families and move away, some of our only opportunities for social connections occur at work.  

Hence, it is worth putting your best foot forward when it comes to making friends with work colleagues. Ask others if they’d be interested in getting coffee and lunch during break time. Chatting with your coworkers can be an extremely rewarding pursuit –these are the sort of interactions that can even manifest into lifelong friendships!  

Use your breaks to relax and zone out when that is needed. We all have that need from time to time.

Doing so will help to improve your well-being, productivity, and career in the long run. 

Portions of this article originally appeared on the AllWork.Space website.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

When you’re slammed at work, you don’t have time to organize your desk. But have you noticed that staring at your messy desk causes even more stress during an already stressful day?

A heavy workload leads to stress and emotional exhaustion. When workers are stressed, they tend to be more indecisive, which causes office clutter to build up. Unfortunately, clutter is another stressor! A perpetuating negative cycle can develop, where stress feeds clutter and clutter feeds stress.

Even if you don’t find clutter distracting, it may affect how well others perceive you do your job. According to a recent University of Michigan study, managers tend to see workers with messy desks as less conscientious, more neurotic, and less agreeable. A messy desk may even cause managers to pass you up for a promotion.

Any of the following items can help you get a handle on your desktop clutter:

Stackable document trays

Paper is the primary culprit for most people’s desktop disorganization. Memos, bills, printouts, and notes pile up. A stackable document tray allows you to contain the mess and sort your papers into groups.

Desktop carousel

The spinning capability of a desktop carousel allows you to easily access your office supplies with a simple flick of your wrist. In addition to open compartments at the top, many carousels come with hooks, drawers, and other organizational options.

Accessory holder (with or without drawers)

Desk organizers take the stackable document trays to the next level. In addition to paper organization, desk organizers often come with compartments for scissors, pens, and other common office supplies. Some are best for organizing small items, such as paperclips and post-its. Others come with compartments large enough to store your papers and files.

Mesh desk organizer

Although desk organizers come in a variety of different materials, mesh is a great choice because it’s easy to clean and you can easily see what’s inside.

Drawer organizers

If you like a clean, minimalist look, consider moving your storage solutions off your desktop and into a drawer. Measure your desk drawer first so you know which organizers will fit inside.

Drawer dividers

If you can’t find a drawer organizer that fits your drawer, or if you prefer to organize to your own specifications, invest in drawer dividers. With drawer dividers, you can create compartments to fit your exact needs. Use all your drawer space without wondering what to put where.

Desktop filing system

Using a desktop filing system rather than a filing cabinet allows easy access to your key files. By placing your files in plain view, a desktop filing system also requires you to keep your paperwork organized.

Magazine holder

Organize your key files at little cost by grouping them by type or priority in magazine holders. Magazine holders are highly portable, and you can store them on your desk, a bookshelf, or the floor.

Monitor stand with drawers

If you’re going to use a monitor stand to lift your computer, why not get double duty out of it? Purchase a monitor stand with drawers or compartments to organize what was previously unusable office space.

Cable clips

Even the most organized desk can look chaotic when cords go every which way. Cable clips keep your cords in order. Choose a cable clip with an adhesive underside to keep your cords from slipping off your desk.

Pencil cups

The classic office supply has come a long way! From classic cups to containers with built-in chargers, you can find plenty of options to keep your writing utensils nearby.

Portions of this article originally appeared on the Quill.com website.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

The Sundance Company                                                                
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs throughout the Boise Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.6 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime locations in the Boise metropolitan area. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com