SME Bosses, here’s what you need to know about Career Cushioning.

Career cushioning is an informal term for the practice of lining up future job opportunities while still employed at one’s current job. It is a way of creating a backup plan for potential unemployment or career change by taking proactive steps such as developing new skills, browsing job listings, and applying for new jobs. Career cushioning can help employees prepare for the future, boost their confidence, and increase their chances of finding their dream job.

You may have noticed that some of your employees are looking for other opportunities, or even applying for jobs elsewhere.

Don’t panic, though.

There are some things you can do to keep your employees happy and loyal, and prevent them from leaving you for greener pastures.

Get to know your employees.

Find out what drives them, what they want, and what they’re worried about. Maybe they’re feeling uncertain about the future, or they want more flexibility and freedom, or they’re afraid of being left behind by new technologies. Whatever it is, listen to them and show them that you care.

Make them feel valued and appreciated.

Nothing kills motivation faster than feeling unrecognised or unappreciated. So make sure you acknowledge and reward your employees for their hard work and achievements.

Also, create a culture of trust, transparency, and feedback, and let your employees have a say in the decisions and plans that affect them.

Pay them well and offer them perks.

Let’s face it, money matters. And so do benefits. If your employees feel that they’re underpaid or overworked, they’ll be tempted to look for better deals elsewhere.

So make sure you pay them fairly and competitively, and offer them options for remote work, flexible hours, or work-life balance.

Share your vision and goals.

Your employees need to know where you’re headed and how they fit in. So communicate your vision and goals clearly and frequently, and show them how their work contributes to the success of the SME. Also, share the achievements and challenges of the SME, and celebrate the milestones and wins together.

These are some of the ways you can cope with career cushioning and retain your talent.

If you need a professional HR consultation, start from Day One.