The Great Resignation, the Big Quit, the Great Reshuffle, the Great Reprioritization: Whether you lead with Great or Big, one thing is certain: How people view work and what they are willing to do for the sake of work has significantly changed. Previously documented rates of voluntary job loss records were obliterated month after month in 2021.

As we continue the slow climb toward an officially deemed post-pandemic era, there is no turning back. Virtual or remote work models and similar employment concepts are no longer marginal and/or reserved for design and technology talent. People everywhere are looking for flexible employment options that afford them rewarded work while leaving them time to spend with the people that mean the most to them.

In a survey recently conducted by MAU, out of 2,400 respondents, 63 percent stated that the pandemic has changed how they view work, and over 42 percent stated that time with family is what they value most when it comes to work, ahead of salary and compensation.

Balancing Flexibility and Predictability
When asked to define "flexible work," over 40 percent viewed it as being able to select the days and hours they were able to work. A majority of respondents preferred a fixed schedule to a swing schedule. Both of the results indicate that employees want work to fit into their schedule, not the other way around. As companies address these shifts in the workforce, it would seem beneficial for employers -particularly in the manufacturing space - to begin to develop and pilot models that strike a balance between flexibility and predictability for their employees.

Women in the Workforce
Not surprising, the survey affirmed several trends experienced in the workforce, particularly for women. First and foremost, women noted a more significant bend toward their view of work changing as a result of the pandemic. In addition, women were more interested in part-time work options, and for those with children, childcare jumped to the biggest consideration when it comes to work schedule.