Why is Everyone Quitting?
In recent weeks, new terms have been entering the lexicon: “The Big Shift,” “The Great Resignation,” and “Pandemic Pivot” have been trending in online articles, hashtags, and conversations among colleagues and friends, alike. These terms reflect the surprising reality that many professionals have been quitting their jobs for new opportunities following the pandemic. Frequently, an aversion to returning to in-person work is identified as the culprit. While this explanation isn’t entirely off the mark, it is an oversimplification. The full picture is far more complex.
Rates of burnout for employees are soaring — affecting more than 90% of workers. Workers have also self-identified a clear solution for curbing rates of burnout: remote-work access. And yet, many employers are mandating return to in-person work despite the fact that half of all employees want to stay remote permanently, and 40–55% say they’d quit without permanent remote options for at least half of the work week. The desire to continue working from home is even stronger among marginalized communities, with studies revealing the work from home model increases a sense of belonging at work, increases workers’ ability to manage stress, and improves work-life balance. It’s confounding for many workers that despite increased productivity during the past year, despite workers’ expressed wishes, and despite many employers’ stated commitment to promoting inclusivity in the workplace, employers are still taking such a hardline approach.
This perceived betrayal by current employers is also coinciding with two practical considerations. More and more, people are feeling stable in their personal finances and are feeling optimistic about the job market. Many people who were able to maintain employment during the pandemic used the time as a financial reset, paying off more debt and curbing discretionary spending. They ultimately placed themselves in a position where they feel more comfortable taking financial and professional risks. This monetary savings, coupled with a technological boom and increased productivity, have contributed to better than expected economic growth, which has led to increased hiring. It has also led to increased rates in entrepreneurship. Workers have more options than ever, giving them more leverage in shaping their work experience, and they are realizing it.
We are at unique moment in our lifetime, and perhaps even modern history, where widespread burnout is coinciding with unprecedented economic opportunity, accelerated technological growth, and a reimagining of the traditional work week. Workers across the country are seizing the chance to reimagine their careers, and more importantly, changing how their careers fit into their lives. It’s a formula for a revolution, and it’s an exciting time to be seeking a career change.
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Alison Shih is a coach for high achieving women seeking to make a career transition. She and her husband live in New Orleans with their two-year old daughter and neurotic corgi. Website: alisonshih.com; Instagram: alisonshih.coaching