The term “Shift Shock” describes the phenomenon in which employees find after a job change that the new position does not meet their expectations, which leads to disappointment and regret. This feeling can have different causes and occurs more often than one could assume.
Causes of the Shift Shock
One of the main causes for the Shift Shock are unrealistic expectations of the new role. The actual tasks and responsibilities often differ from what was communicated during the application process. A survey by Monster in cooperation with YouGov showed that eleven percent of the respondents found their expectations of the new position to be unrealistic.
Another frequent reason is the disappointment with corporate culture. After the change, many employees find that the company’s lived values and norms do not match their own. According to the same survey, seven percent of the participants stated that the corporate culture were disappointed.
Problems with the management level or the college can also lead to a Shift Shock. If the cooperation does not harmonize or the leadership does not meet expectations, this can affect well -being at the new workplace. In the survey mentioned, eight percent of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the management level and six percent with colleagues.
Frequency and duration of the Shift Shock
Shift Shock is not a rare phenomenon. According to a survey by the Job platform The Muse from 2022, 72 percent of those surveyed have already had experience with Shift Shock.
The duration until the Shift Shock occurs varies. Some workers notice within the first month that the new position does not meet their expectations, while it can take several months in others. The survey by Monster and Yougov shows that 22 percent of those affected felt dissatisfaction within the first month after changing jobs, while 28 percent needed one to two months to come to this conclusion.
Strategies to avoid Shift Shock
To avoid a Shift Shock, it is important to do thorough research in the run -up to a job change. Employees should deal intensively with potential employers, for example by having talks with current or former employees in order to obtain a realistic picture of corporate culture and actual working conditions.
During the application process, clear and open discussions about the expectations of the role, corporate culture and the way of working should be conducted. It is advisable to ask specific questions in order to gain a precise understanding of the position and the company.
It is also helpful to reflect on your own priorities and values and to check whether these match those of the potential employer. A realistic self -assessment can help to avoid disappointments.
Measures when the Shift Shock occurs
If a Shift Shock occurs after changing jobs, it is important to act proactively. Open communication with superiors or the HR department can help find solutions for existing problems. Sometimes improvements can be achieved by adjusting the tasks or through internal transfers.
However, if the problems are more profound and there is no prospect of improvement, it may make sense to think about a new job change. According to The Muse’s survey, 41 percent of those who experience a Shift Shock would give the new job for two to six months before making a decision.
D. Maier / Redaktion Finanzen.net