Ghosting is becoming more and more common in the workplace

Ghosting is becoming more and more common in the workplaceGhosting is becoming more and more common in the workplaceIn the dating world, its the dreaded term that has come to mean 1 person cutting off anotlagelageher entirely, without reason. But now ghosting has entered the workplace too, causing headaches in the form of lost time and resources for employers, HR and recruiters alike.Candidates agree to job interviews and fail to show up, never to be heard from again. Others accept jobs, only to not turn up for their first day, no reason given of course. Instead of formally quitting, enduring a potentially awkward conversation with a manager, some employees leave 1 day and never return.Last year, a LinkedInarticleabout ghosting went viral and according to the piece, its derailing the recruiting process at companies all over the world. No matter how it happens, ghosting signals a failure of communication. However,researchsuggests this isnt a new problem, its just becoming more commonp lace.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreIn todays job market, people are busier and more stressed, and therefore more likely to choose convenience over courtesy. It goes without saying that this is not something organizations should take lightly.So, we teamed up with Laura Little, Learning and Development Manager at CABA, to look more closely at what employers can do to ensure that current or potential employees dont pull a vanishing act on youCommunication is keyIt is imperative for an employer to keep the lines of communication with job candidates open right from the word go This means that an employer should be transparent about the position theyre looking to fill and provide candidates with a timeline as to how the process will work.Employers should also be sure to check that job descriptions are accurate, carefully detailing expectations and responsibilities for the role. Thi s will help to avoid any awkward conversations later down the line, realizing the job isnt for them and ghosting.Candidates may be more likely to go MIA if they feel theyre disconnected from the process. Therefore, its important to encourage candidates to come back to you if they have any questions or concerns. Remember, even if theres no news, its always good to keep in touch so the candidate knows youre still keen.Personalise the processRecruiters and HR should attempt to personalise the recruiting process and conduct meaningful, in-depth interviews, preferably face-to-face, where they can get a good read of the candidate and vice-versa. Its important to attempt to understand the candidates motivations, goals and aspirations, trying to learn as much as you can beyond their application. Again, this ensures there are no crossed wires later down the line.Know your culture and brandA brand isnt just words or logos, rather it summarises the personality of your company. Its how youre pe rceived as an employer. A strong employer brand that displays the culture of your organisation and ticks all the boxes for candidates will help to keep ghosts at bay. Part of attracting good candidates is fostering and maintaining a positive workplace culture, where employees feel valued, respected and engaged by the work they do.Thanks to the internet and plethora of websites available, candidates can conduct thorough research on your workplace and gather an initial picture before even stepping foot inside the building. Make sure your social media platforms are up-to-date and highlight the best bits of the organisation and the work it does. If youre a great match for a candidate in terms of job role, work culture and benefits, then joining you is a no-brainer for them.Be aware of your competitorsAn employer will be in a much better position with regard to hiring if it knows its competition and what its competitors are offering think about salary and benefits as a good starting poi nt. Its also worth keeping in mind that a candidate might also be applying to the competition, so be sure to have something that sets you apart.Additionally, make sure youre across all job channels to find the best wealth of talent. If youre not looking in the right places, you might not be getting the attention of the correct candidates, potentially increasing the chance that the company will be ghosted.Finally, watch out for signalsIts not hard to spot when someone is turning into a ghost. Perhaps your candidate is delaying in committing to a start date? Or, your calls and emails might be going unanswered? Maybe the tone of communication has changed?These are all warning signs. Youll need to decide whether to continue using up time and energy reaching out to the person or walk away and concentrate your efforts elsewhere.Nobody can say for certain if ghosting in the workplace is a trend thats here to stay, or if the emergence of a strong job market will in fact curb it. Whats certa in is that candidates attitudes have changed and organisations must take steps to adjust.By building a strong community, promoting positive culture and engaging new hires early and often, you can better position yourself to reduce the likelihood of candidates ghosting you for good.This article originally appeared on Your Coffee Break.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people