Workers who quit their jobs during the pandemic talk about why they have no regrets, despite some subsequently struggling to make ends meet. Flexible or remote working, better pay and benefits, less stressful workloads and safer work environments are some of the reasons these employees changed jobs or careers.

Some younger workers are sharing salary information with colleagues and other professional contacts, with 40% of millennials and 42% of Generation Z workers saying they have been transparent about pay, according to a YouGov poll. A survey by Glassdoor shows the majority of employees prefer to work at companies that provide pay information.

Negativity in the workplace can be a source of burnout and attrition if not handled by leaders, who need to check if they could be the source of gossip or even "toxic positivity" that sweeps problems under the rug, writes Britney Cole. "You can flip this dynamic on its head by asking people how they are doing, what problems they are facing, what's their biggest challenge," Cole writes.

Seventy-eight percent of employees are concerned about prices rising faster than their incomes, and nearly a quarter feel they are financially worse off now than a year ago, according to a survey by AARP. Employers can help reduce staff members' money worries by assisting with student-loan repayment, providing financial planning, making retirement plan enrollment and matches automatic, and partnering with restaurants to offer lunch discounts.

Leaders may inadvertently drive employees away from the company if they neglect the importance of emotional intelligence or fail to recognize what staff members truly value, writes former Princeton University professor Dharius Daniels. Treating employees as you would treat clients is one way to bolster retention.