19/12/2023
Can personality assessments buck the trend of "The Big Quit"?
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses are experiencing an impact on their staff turnover, which has become known as "The Great Resignation". The trend of people choosing to leave their jobs, or at least thinking about it, could be addressed by the suite of Hogan Assessments.
Hogan Assessments' suite of tests helps businesses understand individuals' personalities, motives, and values. This indispensable information can help organisations improve workplace culture to combat the effects of "The Great Resignation".
Hogan's Chief Science Officer, Dr Ryne Sherman and Dr Scott Gregory, Hogan Assessments' previous CEO, have previously discussed the impact of what is also known as "The Big Quit" or "Great Reshuffle". The phrase was first coined in the United States in early 2021, where the trend seems to be slowing down. The UK, however, appears to be still suffering from the effects of this movement.
Hogan Assessments improve culture
Following two years of home-working and public health measures, the work environment has changed significantly. Workers were forced into a situation that caused them to re-evaluate what they expected from their working conditions. This, in turn, has inevitably resulted in many employees looking to see if the grass is greener elsewhere.
It can also be said that some organisations have been unable to find a balanced return to an in-person working pattern. The transition from home-working to office life has been more successful in some environments than others. Businesses that successfully handle change in their organisations usually have a stronger understanding of their personalities and team dynamics.
Hogan Assessments Chief Science Officer Dr Ryne Sherman has noted that toxic workplace cultures, rather than external factors like pay, are primary drivers of staff turnover. He suggests that research has found that workplace toxicity is almost three times more influential in resignations than the second-highest factor.
So, how can Hogan Assessments reduce staff turnover? The answer potentially lies in understanding the role of personality traits in the workplace and their effect. Hogan's psychometric testing provides insights into individuals' personalities, allowing organisations to better understand strengths and motives.
A toxic workplace can be overturned in a positive manner by recognising personality traits and understanding employees' responses to certain situations. With this information, managers can organise their workplace and staff development to improve workplace culture and combat the effect of the "Big Quit".
Understanding Personality Assessments
Whilst the pandemic may have changed people's attitudes, Sherman suggests that core personality traits remain relatively stable. This is good news for businesses who want to reduce the number of resignations within their organisations. By understanding the personalities within an organisation can help them to formulate a conducive working environment.
Dr Scott Gregory suggests that the role of personalities, specifically extraversion and conscientiousness, impact people's feelings of empowerment, which can influence an individual's decision-making. Extraversion, particularly the ambition aspect, is associated with self-confidence, competitiveness and a sense of mission. Conscientious individuals, known for being organised and disciplined, tend to possess a strong sense of agency.
There has also been a rise in retirements and individuals assessing their priorities and seeking new opportunities, often influenced by the possibility of remote work. Personality assessments, like those provided by Hogan Assessments, give organisations valuable insights into the personality traits that might cause individuals to consider changing their circumstances.
We may have come out of enforced restrictions, and the threat of Covid has reduced, but in many cases, the "look" of the workplace has changed beyond recognition. While some businesses have returned to a full-office working pattern, many companies have retained remote or hybrid working.
The influence of "The Great Resignation"
Dr Sherman also highlighted how individuals experience post-resignation regret and discover that the grass is, in fact, not greener on the other side of the fence. He speculates that impulsivity and biases in decision-making may contribute to regret. The sheer number of resignations during the "Big Quit" may result in more instances of post-decision regret. And it could be that other employees are influenced by other people leaving an organisation, meaning that resignations are perpetuating a higher staff turnover.
A change in circumstances or working patterns can encourage individuals to rethink their positions. With many workers having got used to the flexibility or comfort of home working, many were reluctant to return to their previous working patterns. The transition back to pre-Covid working has certainly presented challenges for many companies and has caused division in some environments.
Psychometric testing helps understand employee decisions.
It is important to recognise individual differences, such as personality types and tailor solutions to meet diverse needs. Psychometric testing has far-reaching ramifications for any organisations that chooses to use them. They can help steer a company away from a pandemic of resignations if they can understand the drivers behind those people quitting. The tests also help businesses to better understand employees' motivations to align them with suitable roles.
Psychometric assessments help companies address the challenges they face in retaining talent and the impact of toxic workplace cultures. Assessments and tests help businesses understand the significance of flexibility and purpose in a post-pandemic work landscape.
Hogan Assessments provide insights to help understand and even predict employees' decision-making. With advance knowledge of employees' expectations and potential unrest, businesses can make decisions to either combat or address such derailers.
Hogan Assessments can help combat the effects of "The Big Quit".
Scott Gregory and Ryne Sherman from Hogan Assessments have discussed the practicalities of psychometric testing in the workplace in improving work cultures and motivation.
With the understanding provided by the results of Hogan's suite of assessments, businesses can foster better working relationships to reverse the trends seen in "The Great Resignation".
Awair provides consultation and training to implement and interpret Hogan Assessments' psychometric testing. Speak to Awair today to find out how Hogan Assessments can help improve your workplace culture and reduce staff turnover.