What can businesses do about the great resignation?

The Great Resignation is back, and it’s hitting businesses harder than ever. Around the world, employees are continuing to leave their jobs in search of better work-life balance, more flexibility, and workplaces that really value the work they do.

Nearly one in four workers plan to quit their jobs in 2025. That’s a clear sign that businesses need to step up their game if they want to keep top talent and attract new employees.

So, what’s driving this latest wave of resignations? And more importantly, what can businesses do to keep their people happy, engaged, and loyal?

What is the Great Resignation?

It all started in 2022, when over a third of UK workers thought about quitting their jobs. Since then, it’s become a big movement where people are looking for employers that reward them with more than just a salary.

Now, people are quitting jobs that don’t offer:

• Flexibility: Employees want more control over their work schedules, with nearly half saying they’d consider quitting if their employer forced them back to the office full time.
• Better benefits: They want useful perks, like EV salary sacrifice schemes and mental health support, that make their lives easier and improve their wellbeing.
• A supportive culture: More and more, people are looking for employers who value transparency, respect, and recognition.
• Progression: Top employees want opportunities to develop themselves, with 67% looking to learn new skills when they think about changing jobs.

What’s the cost to businesses?

Losing employees can be expensive. Replacing a single employee can cost a company 1.5 to 2 times their annual salary when you factor in:

• Hiring costs: Finding top talent isn’t cheap. Job ads, recruitment agencies, and interview time all add up.
• Training and onboarding: With a whole business to learn about and relationships to build from scratch, it takes months for new hires to reach full productivity.
• Lost productivity: When key team members leave, projects slow down, and expertise walks out the door.
• Burnout risk: The remaining team often takes on extra work, leading to stress, disengagement, and - you guessed it - even more resignations.

But it’s not all bad news. There are simple ways to attract new talent, reduce turnover and keep your best employees around.

How can businesses respond?

The key is to take care of your people. By offering flexible working, great benefits, and a positive culture, you can keep your current employees happy and attract new ones.

Here are some ideas to help you get it right:

1. Perk up your perks: Competitive salary is important, but cool benefits can make all the difference. And it doesn’t have to be gym memberships and health insurance. Perks like our EV salary sacrifice schemes are a fantastic way to keep employees happy. They can get a brand-new electric car without any upfront costs, plus save on tax and running costs. It’s good for the planet and great for your team.
2. Normalise flexibility: It’s simple: offering hybrid or remote working can help you attract the best talent, no matter where they live. Flexible working patterns make it easier for people to manage both their job and personal life.
3. Help them grow (or watch them go): Employees want to learn and develop in their roles. By offering training, career development opportunities, and clear paths for progression, you can keep your employees engaged and motivated. Plus they’ll gain skills that’ll help them become more productive and valuable.
4. Good vibes only: People want to work somewhere that values them. That respects difference, recognises hard work, and encourages collaboration. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to stay. Listen to your team, act on their feedback, and create an environment where people can really be themselves.

Great Resignation? It’s time for the Great Retention.

The Great Resignation might have started a few years ago, but it’s still a challenge for businesses in 2025. The solution is simple: Invest in your people. Offer flexible work, great benefits, and create a workplace that employees want to be part of. By focusing on your team’s needs now, you can set your business up for long-term success.

Want to attract and retain top talent? Our EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme is an easy way to offer a high-impact benefit that saves employees money and helps the planet.