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Reading List: Trends in Talent Management

As ABA embarks on our next signature research study, The Compelling Employment Offer, our team has immersed ourselves in the challenges and opportunities facing today's labor market. There has been a surplus of literature tracing the current talent moment, from the concept of “the great resignation” (or “the great negotiation”) to the mental toll of the pandemic. We’ve gathered a list of articles and resources you may have missed to help you navigate this evolving, global landscape.

 
 

Articles & Reports

  • The Great Resignation? More like The Great Renegotiation (NPR) - We’ve all heard the term “the great resignation,” referring to the all-time high levels of individuals leaving their jobs in recent months. NPR, however, argues that the focus should not be on why people are leaving, but rather where they’re choosing to go. This is the moment where workers across industries are prioritizing their needs and values, and looking for employers who do the same. 

  • Why The Great Resignation is Happening in Western Europe Too (YPulse) - Many wondered if the exceptional levels of resignations were unique to the United States, but evidence suggests that the trend is consistent in parts of Europe as well. There, motivations for employees quitting their jobs (specifically younger generations) are tied to pay, but also an increased prioritization of mental health during the pandemic.

  • Back to work: why French workers are resisting the Covid ‘Big Quit’ (Financial Times) - Yet not all countries are experiencing the same resignation trends. As Financial Times outlines, France has seen its unemployment rate drop to pre-pandemic levels, due in part to government assistance that allowed companies to retain (and hire new) employees. There is, however, uncertainty about these figures’ applicability in the long-term to younger and older workers.

  • Survey: Workers Say Job Pressures Take Bigger Mental Toll than COVID-19 Fears (The Conference Board) - In the U.S., workers were surveyed on the factors contributing negatively to their mental health in the workplace. Burnout remained a major issue — particularly affecting women and millennials. Plus, more pressures came from work than the pandemic itself. 

  • Art Museum Staff Demographic Survey 2018 (Ithaka S+R) - The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will soon commence its next survey of the demographic makeup of the arts sector. Remind yourselves of where we left off by reviewing the 2018 edition of the study, which found that while overall the industry has seen racial and gender-based diversity increase, there is still progress to be made at the leadership level.

  • Hit Hard by the Pandemic, Museum Workers Redouble Union Efforts (Bloomberg Law) - One of the most significant labor trends in the arts industry has been the boom in unionization efforts as a result of the pandemic — with an estimated 2.1% increase in union membership between 2018 and 2020.

 
 

Tools & Resources

  • Helping Arts Workers Navigate Pandemic-Induced Burnout (The Wallace Foundation) - To say that the last two years have been difficult for arts workers would be an understatement: navigating shutdowns, furloughs, and daily uncertainty have led to burnout across the industry. The Wallace Foundation has gathered a slew of resources from across the arts that can help you practice mindfulness and self care during challenging times.

  • Socio-Economic Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts: A Toolkit For Employers (Jerwood Arts) - Conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts have become more urgent than ever in recent years. Important in these discussions is socio-economic diversity, not only in attendees but in the workforce. A 2018 study by  the Labour Force Survey (UK) showed that only 21% of museum, gallery, and library workers come from working class backgrounds. Jerwood Arts’ toolkit guides employers through their own internal assessment and action plan to become inclusive towards those of diverse socio-economic backgrounds. 

  • Wegmans: Understanding how employees value their benefits (re:work) - To support the arts industry in understanding the motivations and values of individuals working in the sector, ABA will be conducting a study based on conjoint analysis. Curious to learn more about this technique? Wegmans, the grocery chain, conducted a similar analysis on its employee base to make sure their benefits package resonated with what staff actually wanted. Read the case study to get a sense of how this type of survey can help leaders establish a compelling employment offer.

Interested in participating in ABA’s upcoming research on staff engagement? Contact your member advisor or email info@advisoryarts.com today.