A 'concerning' new trend has emerged in the workplace. 'Resenteeism' means you are staying in a job that makes you unhappy, but for reasons such as the cost of living crisis, you feel like you can’t leave and resent your job.
Coined by staff management software provider RotaCloud, this feeling is unlike 'presenteeism' (going into work but not being productive, for example if you’re having an off day or feeling unwell), as workers suffering from resenteeism “experience a lot more frustration surrounding their current situation, something that can be catching.”
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According to RotaCloud, factors such as the rising cost of living and the impending recession are putting pressure on people to stay in jobs they no longer want to be in.
People may feel overwhelmed at the prospects of leaving their current employment to find work that’s more satisfying to them, as many are struggling to make ends meet.
While inflation, which measures the rate of price rises, has fallen slightly from 10.5% in the year to December from 10.7% in November, food prices have continued to soar, reaching the highest in over 40 years.
People are facing massive energy bills and as a result pay cheques do not go as far as they once used to.
Whether or not you are satisfied with your job doesn’t seem to matter anymore because people can’t afford to be out of work to search for something they are passionate about, which is taking a toll on people’s mental health.
“The combination of the back to work blues after Christmas, the aftermath of quiet quitting, and a period of salary stagnation has coalesced to create the perfect storm of employee dissatisfaction,” they said.
Another factor driving this trend is the ‘great resignation.’ Employers still scramble to fill the vacancies left by departing workers, some workers who stayed report feeling undervalued or unfairly treated.
This can lead to a spreading sense of resentment and a lack of motivation within a workforce.
Pam Hinds, head of people at RotaCloud, says employees that feel “undervalued, under-appreciated, and worried about their future” will never be happy in their jobs, and the worrying rise in resenteeism isn’t unexpected.
“As an employer, it's our job to help create a positive work culture and make sure that our teams feel respected, rewarded and fulfilled in their roles, and to address issues like resenteeism before they become a problem,” Pam said.
If you might be experiencing resenteeism, here’s what you can do about it:
- Speak with your manager or HR department about your feelings of unhappiness and frustration. Be honest about what you're experiencing and give specific examples of what's causing your dissatisfaction.
- Identify potential solutions and clearly define what you need from your job to feel fulfilled and motivated. Discuss with your manager what you're looking for in terms of career growth, work-life balance, and job satisfaction.
- Take care of yourself and don't let resentment consume you. Make sure you're taking care of your physical and mental health, including taking time off when you need it.
- If you feel unfulfilled in your current role, explore opportunities for professional development and growth within your company. If you don’t see things changing, start looking for a new job that aligns with your values and career goals, even if it’s in a completely new field.
- Remember that while your job is an important part of your life, it’s not the only part. It’s ok for a job to just be a job.
To combat resenteeism in the workplace, employers can:
- Encourage open communication by creating an environment where your employees feel comfortable voicing their concerns and opinions.
- Be supportive of time off. If your team needs to take some extra annual leave, encourage it.
- Provide support and ffer resources like mental health support to help struggling staff.
- Promote professional development opportunities and invest in your employees, making sure they have clear paths for advancement.
- Really focus on employee engagement, listen to your team, act on their feedback and prioritise their needs.
- Show appreciation by creating a culture of positivity, celebrate team success, and reward your staff for their efforts.
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