For the first time in decades employees have the upper hand.
“If you are working, now is the time to politely up your game and make reasonable demands that will provide you a better quality of life. Chances are your company will give in,” says Carl Gould business management expert and President of business management firm ‘7 Stage Advisors‘.
People risking asking for the fringe benefits they REALLY want out of their jobs is a huge trend right now, says Carl. Pre-pandemic what you would have heard he said, was that people simply wanted to be heard, wanted meaningful work, and they wanted a stimulating work environment. It was more about the overall work experience.
NOW…employees have the leverage to ask for some of the monetary and non-monetary things they always wanted pre-pandemic, that they never had the guts to ask for. Because everyone learned over the last year how to work from home and they like it, if they’re not getting that, they’re leaving and saying oh well come and get me, says Carl.
So what are some of the most mentioned perks that people now want? Number ONE by a long stretch and there’s no close second said Carl, is ‘flexibility in schedule’. Things like, “Can I work from home a couple days a week?” “Can I come in a little bit later so I can drop the kids off at the bus?”
The generation dominating the work space right now want the whole package. It’s a work to live mentality, not live to work.
Carl adds, but don’t think this generation is lazy. When you hear about this great resignation, a big reason people are leaving jobs is that they don’t want to give up their gig projects which they can’t do if they’re commuting and/or working in an office every day.
What we see says Carl, is people cancelling and leaving their jobs because they don’t want to give up their side hustle. Instead they’re looking for a primary job that gives them their flexibility to do their side hustle and make more money That’s the new form of workaholic. In fact, 58 Million people last year said that they did a part time project as a side hustle.
So how are the ‘employers’ reacting to the requests for “I want!” “I need!” “I must have!” ?
Carl says, the ’employer’ has always been open to flexibility which is the part the employee doesn’t understand. Employees are quitting rather than ‘asking’. They need to ask for the fringe benefits they desire.
Employers are impressed says Carl, when somebody comes to them and says I really like your company, here’s what I can contribute and also here are some of the constraints I have in my life . For example; “Because of the pandemic I am taking care of a loved one at home” or “I don’t have a car right now” or, “We have young kids at home.”
Carl suggests employees try asking things like “Could I come early these days ?” “Can I work from home on certain days?” “Could tuition reimbursement be built into to my package?”
Employers are much more flexible than people realize and timing is great right now for people who are working or looking for new work to politely up their game and make reasonable demands for quality of life.
Do you do this in writing ? In person? A little bit of both says Carl. Write down all things you want to bring up so you don’t forget in the moment, and first have a conversation with the employer.
Some suggested language from Carl? “I really love what your company is doing and I’d love to come on board but there are a few situations in my life that I’m managing, so is there any way I can manage both?” Lay out your thoughts as questions. “Can we work this out?” “Would you consider ?”, etc. etc.
Carl Gould, 7 Stage Advisors, is a worldwide leading authority on business. Carl’s an entrepreneur who built three multi-million dollar companies before he was 40. He’s helped over 5000 growth minded companies who were ready for the white knuckle ride. His company offers a full on 2 hour no fee consultation and presents 5 ways to grow your company with no obligation. Carl says, we sell nothing until people insist on paying.
Enjoy this insightful chat that hopefully will inspire you to risk asking for the job perks that you really would love, that you never spoke up about before.
You know what I always say. Risk It! or Regret It!
