We’re in that crucial period when people are more likely to leave their jobs. There’s a reason they walk away this time of year– and a reason they’ll stay.

Do employment recruiters know something you don’t?

This is the time of year a lot of headhunters start to field floods of inquiries from people who want to switch jobs. Why now, more than any other part of the year? The answer is easy when you think about it.

The holidays are over. That means the good cheer and back-slapping (and maybe a little backsliding) are over, too. They can barely see a summer vacation through the gloom. Now they have to hunker down to the business of business. It’s not a fun time for a lot of employees.

They start to see the flaws in their jobs and their bosses. They hit a morale “dead zone.” Then they start bookmarking Monster.com. And even the ones who stay might be giving it less than their all.

It’s corny – and it works

Can you and your managers keep the good ones from walking? Can you motivate the ones who stay? It’ll take a little thought and innovation.

No one’s suggesting you can keep the holiday spirit all year-round, but employees stuck in the dark days of winter, just before spring, want to know that they’re appreciated more often than just the end of December.

If you can swing a budget for little rewards, great. Now’s the time to do it.

If you can’t come across with something material, your managers still can make a point to thank employees a little more and say “nice job” more often. Yes, that sounds corny and maybe, to some, a little superficial. But it works.

People stay where they’re appreciated. People leave when they’re not appreciated. Just ask the headhunters.

Tags: headhunters, morale, recruiters, rewards