Maslow 3.0, the new workplace necessities & the Great Resignation
Updated: Apr 10
We’ve all heard of the Maslow pyramid, and at one point or another in our lives, agreed that there are some basic needs we need to cover. For example, the most basic needs are clear: we all need food, water and shelter; and to feel safe, have stability and not be afraid. Then we move up to other types of basic needs: feel the love from our friends, family, significant other. Followed by recognition, respect, achieving or mastering something. And at the top of the pyramid, self-actualization: we pursue our inner talent, creativity and achieve fulfillment.
In 2022, we are looking at the Great Resignation in the eyes, and employers and companies have had to adjust to this new reality. There are many interesting articles about the Great Resignation, but this one here by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) mentions that this mass resignation is not new or “because of Covid”. It was something already in the works pre-pandemic. Sure, there were state-sponsored benefits to help people out during lockdowns.
But afterwards, in growing job markets, not everyone was rushing to find a new job, and many others decided to quit. Can we say that maybe some of Maslow’s bases were not being covered?
On the one hand, on a personal level, we had no battery left in our lives to multi-task all the time: work, home, family, on repeat, 24/7.
On the other hand, on a professional level, we needed more flexibility. We found it by working from home, or from anywhere we needed to be.
Have you given this any thought? What type of flexibility would you or are you looking for? For some people, flexibility means being able to manage their own working hours. For others, it means being able to work from anywhere: the beach on Monday, and the mountains on Thursday.
