"Workers were sitting on a big wad of cash. So that gave them a confidence. You know, 'if I get fired for this, that's OK,'" said Harry Holzer, former chief economist for the Department of Labor. This highlights how a strong financial position during the height of remote work led employees to feel empowered, allowing them to push back against workplace policies.
"So that incredible bargaining power that workers had a couple of years ago is not nearly as strong," Holzer said. This reflects the changing labor market where worker's leverage has decreased as unemployment rises and job openings fall.
A recent survey by KPMG showed nearly 80% of CEOs envision employees back at work, in person, in the next three years. This statistic underscores a significant shift among leaders towards reinstating traditional workplace models post-pandemic.
"Companies that keep flexible workplace policies? That could keep you as a competitive employer when the power dynamics shifts back to the employee," warned Melissa Jezior, CEO of Eagle Hill Consulting. This suggests that adaptability in workplace policies may become key for talent retention in the future.
Collection
[
|
...
]