The Covid-19 pandemic brought changes in many areas of life, including the job market. According to EuroStat unemployment rates in Europe raised from 6,3% to 7,7% in March 2020, but they stabilized and got lower. However, in November 2021 the Western world faced another challenge that impacted the whole job market and caused a labour shortage. Covid affected people’s choices and made them rethink their priorities, this forced workers to massively quit their jobs. So why did this happen?
The Great Resignation or in other words The Big Quit is an economic trend that appeared in 2021 during the ongoing Covid pandemic. These phenomena describe the process of individuals voluntarily quitting their jobs. According to data from Linkedin the industries that were affected by Great Resignation, the most include retail, healthcare, and hospitality. Even though each individual had his own reasons for leaving his job, here are some of the most common ones.
Low payment and no growth opportunities were the most common reasons, also a total of 41% of the workers left their previous jobs as they were not satisfied with their current salary. Not all companies were able to provide compensation benefits as well as additional bonuses to their employees, workers didn't get any guarantees of advancing to a higher position.
Work-life balance was one of the leading reasons why Great Resignation happened since many people reevaluated their goals and priorities. 72% of Europeans indicated that they felt burnout and unmotivated to continue working on their current position, many of them were physically and mentally exhausted, that’s why employees decided to pursue a different career path. In addition to added anxiety and stress, a great majority of people found remote work more effective and efficient. Some of them didn't support business coming back to fully in-person mode, since “work from home” experience had proven to boost employees’ productivity, reduce turnover, save time, and lower organizational costs.
The US statistics of 2021 show that young adults with a lower income were more likely to quit the job, in comparison to adults and middle to upper-income individuals. This proves that those who have less education and overall young generation is most likely to risk and switch to a different job position or even field, while others prefer stability and are not willing to risk.
The Great Resignation was definitely a big hit for many companies, however, businesses can still prevent employees from quitting their jobs. The management can easily spot the signs that would indicate the desire of employees to leave the company. Here are some of the main signs:
In such cases, it's essential to have an honest and open talk with your employee, listen to his concerns, and reach a compromise. Managers can offer their workers flexible schedules, different working modes, benefits and discuss further career opportunities. Directors also should show recognition to their workers, give credit for their hard work, provide feedback and stay connected as much as possible. Finally, if the employee feels overwhelmed, he should be allowed to take a short vacation to recharge and come back to the office with more energy and motivation.
Recent geopolitical events impacted many spheres including the job market. As Ukrainians started fleeing to various European countries including Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Romania, and the Baltic states, more companies started offering job opportunities. According to “Verslo žinios” currently there are around 7300 job offers in different Lithuanian cities, and during the first week, more than 170 Ukrainians were employed, also since March 1 employers are able to provide jobs to Ukainins refugees without any additional procedures. Some professionals that Ukrainians were employed as include teachers, cooks, tailors, administration workers, etc. In addition to this, some companies will provide a living place and flexible working schedule for everyone, especially for women with small kids. Both skilled and unskilled workers are needed, however, most of the proposals were received from the manufacturing sector, food and clothing, and other textile companies. The hospitality sector offered jobs in hotels and restaurants for the construction companies they are also looking for new colleagues.
The Ukrainian-Russian war impacted Lithuanians and their career choices as well. Many of them were thinking to relocate to other cities or even countries and find a new position there, but the fear of war changed their plans. Now many of them are searching for stable jobs in any sector, also those who wanted to leave their current companies and start new positions decided to remain in the place where they are now in order to not risk.
War is the word that many people wish not to hear, but as events in Ukraine unfold and Russian aggression towards Ukraine escalates, employers face fear, apathy, and uncertainty regarding the future including their job and wellbeing. Unfortunately, a great majority of people get traumatized by current events and many of them develop vicarious trauma. This condition can be transmitted through observation but not through direct contact. Information overload, violent videos and images, brutal acts, and immoral behaviors are the things that each individual observes on the media and affect his mental state. Sofiia Fedorkova, Social Media Manager at Soprana Personell International, who is also a native Ukrainian, will share some tips that may help others.
When the invasion started, all news portals and social media platforms were exploding with shocking and overwhelming information. According to Lara Wolfers from Leipzig Media Research Center, social media can serve as a stressor in many cases, when a person gets bombarded with disturbing information over and over again he may develop anxiety and other horrible conditions. Even though it is really tempting and the desire to stay updated is high, it’s crucial to set a rule for yourself to not check the news every minute. It is even harder when a person is at his workplace since loses focus and his mind is occupied with completely different stuff. In this case, setting a rule is key, an employee may finish his job-related task and then as a reward check the news, or he can try to not check any portal for at least 30 minutes.
Studies have shown that it is easier to cope with stress when an individual is involved in something. During wartime there are plenty of things that anyone can do, some of them include donations, discussion groups, presentations, peaceful demonstrations, or voluntary activities. An employee can easily discuss share his thoughts and worries with the company’s employees, in this way he will relieve his stress and discuss with others things that bother him. Working in a bustling office can be hard during such times, so don’t hesitate to ask your boss for an option to work from home or even a day off.
Taking care of both physical and mental health is utterly important in this situation. Getting ample sleep, focusing on good nutrition, and spending more time outdoors exercising or simply walking will drastically improve the situation. “The first days were the hardest for me, as I was spending at least 7 hours a day on the phone, I was sleeping for 3-4 hours and my eating habits were awful, but when I started focusing on my health and my wellbeing, by spending more time outdoors and limiting my technology exposure, I noticed that my performance at work increased and I was more productive,” says Sofiia, Social Media Manager at Soprana Personell International. There are many apps that can help anyone to calm done and find life balance during these hard times. Here are the top five apps for self-care and meditation:
War is an extreme situation and not everyone is prepared for such serious changes in the lifestyle. Both at work and in daily life a person may have troubles concentrating on regular tasks, he may have fear and even paranoia about the future of him and his family, emotional waves, anger, apathy, depression, and health problems like lack of appetite, headaches and stomach issues are the most common symptoms in this case. Connecting with other individuals who are affected by the same issue may be helpful and even beneficial since showing compassion to each other would relieve the stress and anxiety. Moral support from friends, work colleagues and even strangers can relieve and even eliminate some of them. However, if symptoms don’t go away or even intensify, it’s a good idea to seek professional help and talk with the psychologist in order to get back to normal life.
When the Covid-19 pandemic started, the world’s economy faced big challenges due to many businesses closing. Private sectors such as hotels, resorts, and restaurants were closed, so the hospitality industry encountered economic difficulties. Even though the Covid-19 situation has a long-lasting effect, Norway was able to recover its economy and open up to new opportunities
When Covid-19 hit most of the companies closed their offices and shifted to hybrid or remote work mode. When everything reopened coworking places became popular and many companies started offering their employees to rest somewhere while still working. Hotels took the initiative as they have the resources to combine hotel rooms for rest and office places for productive work. They also provide a wide range of options to choose from, such as gyms, food, cozy rooms, cafes, and many more. Hybrid hospitality offers many benefits including 24/7 services, adaptable spaces, and opportunities to connect with other professionals.
The hospitality industry is facing a “labor crisis” since during the pandemic a lot of workers were left without jobs and found new opportunities in other areas. Due to the overall pandemic and economic situation, hospitality places were recruiting fewer people to reduce the cost. This resulted in a decrease in customer satisfaction. According to ReviewPro, in 2021 there was around a 1,4% increase in negative comments regarding staff members and their services. Besides, many remote areas are lacking skilled workers and their current employees need to multitask.
Presence on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn has become crucial for any hospitality place. A company can increase its brand awareness and target a wider audience if it will actively post and develop its social media. Things like benefits, job offers, accomplishments, future goals, and visuals can be some of the ideas that can be posted online. In the case of seasonal workers, who work in different environments and with various businesses, it is important to understand the ways that would motivate them to come back to the company. With the active usage of social media and emphasis on job opportunities as well as benefits, a company can attract potential candidates with a relatively-low commitment way.
Soprana Personell International is a leading hospitality recruitment company in Baltics. We help businesses with staff recruitment as well as campaigns. Soprana helps its clients by taking over all administrative tasks, insurances, taxes, and other legal processes. Our clients will be provided with answers to all HR related questions and some specific recommendations on employer branding. As for the workers, they will have an opportunity to work in an international environment with a professional team.
Known for its magical skies, magnificent fjords, and welcoming people Norway remains a popular tourist destination, but jobs opportunities there are much more diverse. According to the data from “Statista” Norway has one of the lowest unemployment rates, which scores only 3,5%. Not to forget that Norway is ranked 3 as a country with a high amount of happy people.
Due to its rich economy, Norway is a country known for its high living standards. Even though Norway has a relatively high cost of living, people still maintain to have a healthy work-life balance. The minimum wage is not designed in Norway, since every employer has a right to decide how much he is willing to pay. Norway's employment rate is 74,4 percent, which is significantly higher compared to other European countries. A regular week consists of 7,5 hour days, on the weekends Norwegians tend to spend their free time outdoors with their loved ones. The secret of high living standards in Norway is simply a balance between work, outdoors activities, and a relaxed attitude towards life.
Norway offers jobs in modern innovative cities surrounded by mountains, as well as magnificent remote areas where you can work and enjoy nature at the same time. Those who enjoy a busy lifestyle should consider the vibrant and contemporary city of Oslo, with equipped co-working places, entrainment facilities, and shopping malls. People who prefer a calm and relaxing atmosphere should consider working in smaller cities which have spa centers, recreation facilities, restaurants and much more.
If you obtain a job in Norway and start paying taxes, social security will be provided and you will automatically be involved in the National insurance scheme. Each person can get a D-number or a social security number. In addition to this everyone can get benefits which include: healthcare services, sickness and disability benefits, retirement pension, family and pregnancy benefits. If a person loses his job he has a right to get unemployment payments. When there is a case of temporary layoff you do not need to work and your employer doesn't have to pay the wages. Due to the Norwegian leading economy, there are many more benefits that can be offered to everyone.
As Norway’s GDP has been growing for over a decade and the job market expanding, Norway has a great variety of job opportunities in all sectors. Health, construction, and IT sectors are still in high demand, however after Norway eased its Covid-19 restrictions, the hospitality sector, which was stagnant for more than a year is finally opening up. “Hotels, restaurants and spa resorts are currently searching for chefs, bartenders, receptionists, and other hospitality staff”, says Arunas, Business Development Lead, at Soprana Personnel International. Due to the lack of qualified hospitality workers and the increasing number of foreigners that are coming to Norway, there is a high demand for skilled personnel.
Coming to Norway might be an adventure of a lifetime and a well-developed working environment would make it even better. Norwegian working environment has a flat structure, meaning that you will be on the same level as the managers. Trust, punctuality, and honesty are highly valued by Norwegians both at work and in daily life. ‘Frihet under ansvar’ is an unwritten rule which emphasizes the responsibility of an employee. Norway, being an egalitarian society aims to treat everyone with the same amount of respect.
Having stable mental health is a big challenge nowadays since many people are stressed due to their personal issues, busy working schedules, and hustling lifestyles. However, some of the external stressors that can influence our wellbeing include major life events, ongoing world conflicts, pandemics, and much more. It is essential to stay up to date and not distance yourself from the news source, however, it's even more important to set limits to how much information you should consume. Recent research had found that an individual may develop anxiety, PTSD, sleep disturbances, and even more serious mental traumas if he is routinely being exposed to depressing and disturbing events.
The topic of mental health is being widely discussed nowadays and there are many solutions that can potentially improve a person’s wellbeing. There is an ample number of ways to cope with stress, some professionals suggest staying active and distancing yourself from technology, others focus more on the body, lifestyle, and social interactions. In any case, we are lucky to have plenty of mobile apps that are available for everyone and that combine all practical tips as well as reading materials, which would definitely boost your mental state. Here are 5 most popular apps for self-care and welfare
The “Calm” app was founded in 2012 by entrepreneurs with the mission to help people and introduce them to meditation, different ways of relaxation and improve their sleep quality. Calm has a gorgeous interface with beautiful background imaginary and users can even customize the dashboard according to their own preferences. The main goal of the app is to improve the mental health of each individual, by offering focus and self-improvements meditations, which would also improve sleep quality and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Main Benefits:
Price: $14.99 a month
If you were ever interested in positive psychology or cognitive behavioral therapy, then Happify is the perfect self-guided app for you. App’s content is aspiring and approachable for people who don't have knowledge in psychology and therapy. Happify aims to help their users with building mindfulness, gain confidence and improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety levels and stop negative thought patterns. Happify app relies on science and that's why they collaborate with VIA Institute on Character to closely assess different character traits and develop unique approaches.
Main Benefits :
Price: $14.99 per month
Headspace is one of the most popular and frequently downloaded apps in the world, due to its huge variety of meditations, breathing exercises, and other stress-relieving exercises. The app has four main categories: meditate, sleep, move and focus. There are numerous meditations for finding focus, creativity, and confidence. As for the “sleep” section it includes nighttime meditations, sleep radio which contains different relaxing sounds, and “sleep casts”. The “Move” section has a wide assortment of workouts guided by Olympians and finally “focus” section offers guided meditations and calming music. Headspace is also suitable for kids since it teaches them the basics of meditation and provides simple courses on the importance of benevolence and kindness.
Main benefits:
Price: $13 per month
Insight tracker is a unique app with more than 44,000 meditations that can fit absolutely everyone. It is a huge library that consists of different workshops, live events yoga classes, and of course meditations on topics like stress, sleep, self-esteem, etc. It's also great for kids because it has stories that are engaging and can boost kids' interest in the area. One of the coolest things that “Insight Timer ” offers is the ability to connect with your mentors and the community, as each person has a different approach on the same issue, and sharing personal experiences might be helpful.
Main Benefits:
Price: $10 per month
Moodkit is an evidence-based app since it was developed by two clinical psychologists and it is also based on the principles that are frequently used in cognitive behavioral therapy. A “journal” feature can be used to track your current mood and focus on positive thoughts. It also has a wide variety of activities that a user can select and practice, for example, employment, productivity, social, physical, and healthy habits. All of the activities rely on scientific principles, that are designed to help each person cope with stress, reduce anxiety, find life balance, and improve overall wellbeing.
Main Benefits:
Price: $4.99