By Esther Fefoame – Managing Partner, EF & Associates, and ADR Expert
Welcome to the HR Word of the Week with BixHRWisdom where HR meets Real Work Place Truths.
Today we will be addressing the quiet preparations which happen behind the scenes in many offices; Career Cushioning.
They (the workers/employees) are still showing up …. But they are quietly preparing to leave.
These are clear cases of career cushioning, when a worker begins taking quiet steps to protect their future job options, just in case things go south.
They are not shouting it. But they’re:
- Polishing their CVs
- Networking subtly
- Following job boards
- Picking up a new certification
- Building something (a side business/hustle) on the side
Why ?
Because they are unsure if their current job is still secure, supportive or going nowhere.
For HR Leaders:
Career cushioning isn’t disloyalty. It is survival. When workers start cushioning, it’s a sign for:
- A Culture Check
- A Trust Check
- A Retention check
The real question is:
Are we creating an environment worth committing to, or just a job they’re trying to escape?
Workers, are you cushioning your career?
HR Folks and Managers, can you tell when it is happening? What are you doing about it?
Let us stop reacting to exits and rather start responding to the warning signs.
Watch out for the continuation of this series on BixHRWisdom
The Author, Esther Fefoame is a frequent columnist and contributor in Global African Times Magazine & Media. She serves as the Managing Partner for EF & Associates (Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR Experts, and Workplace Crisis Management Specialists).
Esther Fefoame can be reached on efandassociatesgh@gmail.com .
You can connect with her on Facebook: Esther Fefoame or EF & Associates for more updates and discussions on fostering growth and other people management topics.
