“Good people don’t make a fuss, they just leave”

‘The great resignation’, a term coined to describe the record number of people leaving their jobs since the beginning of the pandemic, is far from over. 

Research from PwC found one in five workers globally were planning to quit in 2022. Many companies will do anything to keep their best staff, but how can managers spot the signs that someone is unhappy and ensure their most talented employees don’t leave? 

The first warning that a team member is feeling unsettled and thinking about moving on is obstructiveness. Doug Baird, CEO at people advisory firm New Street Consulting Group, advises that leaders and managers should look out for previously constructive employees who are now constantly challenging and blocking ideas and decisions, and generally stopping or slowing progression.

Thoughts about quitting can also become all-consuming for employees, causing them to become increasingly passive in their day-to-day roles and responsibilities.