While I’m ambivalent to the term, this is an interesting discussion that has substance and impact.

It must demand attention from employers who haven’t realised they are in danger of losing key staff.

There are two big factors that are outside of the control of employers, yet both can be mitigated by being open and collaborative with your people, particularly if you value what they do for you.

Both stem from the pandemic but have different nuances.

The first is how we have all reframed our lives, from being stuck in lockdowns, whether on furlough or simply working from home.

The habits we gradually come to accept during a busy career, suddenly become objectionable once we’ve tasted something different. 90-minute commutes, long hours, presenteeism, toxic cultures and so on.

I’ve had some profound conversations with candidates and job seekers where there seems a drift in priority from career aspiration to life commitments.

The second factor is significant whiplash in the economy as we come out of restriction. Not just in terms of the marketplace and vacancies, but also in confidence about making a move. These combined are a fundamental shift compared to the past 18 months.

So when you have a radical change in aspiration, combined with greater access to new jobs and higher confidence in changing roles, it’s no surprise that we’ll hit a crunch point with volume resignations.

How would I react were I in a business at risk of losing key people?

I’d look at our business first and how our people needs have changed and will change.

Make no assumptions about your “business as usual”, a healthy thing to do in any respect, given what’s outside is anything but.

Then I’d talk to our people about the things that matter to them.

Can we marry up our needs with theirs without too much of a compromise?

Can we support them with whatever challenges they face, seeing in return more loyalty and commitment?

Reciprocity in action.

You may find simple tweaks that have little cost is all you need, protecting the business from losing what may be critical assets – your people.

Face the risk now and you lose nothing by having these conversations. You may see some unexpected wins too.

Or wait and see, and the consequence may be unmanageable.