- Jessica Daly
- Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Maybe you haven’t heard the term, “The Great Resignation,” but I bet you know at least a few people in your life who have recently quit their jobs or are actively looking.
Coined by Professor Anthony Klotz of Texas A&M University, this is a real movement, and it is definitely related to the pandemic.
So, what’s it all about and how might it affect you?
One study reports that 41% of workers are thinking about resigning from their jobs right now. And, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 4 million people resigned from their jobs in April of 2021, which is the highest rate in decades. Experts say that some of this movement is due to stalled resignations during the Pandemic. People who normally would have left a job, stayed put in fear of what was going to happen.
But there’s also a major shift going on in people’s mindsets. More people are looking for work/life balance and focusing on their passion. It’s like we all had more time at home to think about what we really want our lives to look like, and now we’re seeing the effects of that introspection.
In the NPR article, “As the Pandemic Recedes, Millions of Workers Are Saying I Quit,” the author states that after this long period of introspection, people are on the hunt for more money, more flexibility and more happiness.
They are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued and how they spend their time. This has caused a major shift in how people view their work life balance. With 9.3 million job openings (U.S. Labor Department), it’s now an Employee’s Market, which gives employees more power to make changes.
Even if you aren’t thinking about changing jobs, you are probably feeling the effects of The Great Resignation.
With so many people resigning, it could leave your team understaffed and over worked. In this case, you need to watch for burnout.
If you are having trouble concentrating or are feeling less productive, feeling more irritable, cynical and critical and/or your physical health is suffering, then you are likely experiencing burnout.
This is labeled Pandemic Burnout, and it’s causing a collective reassessment about priorities. Now more than ever, companies must do more to retain and even attract talent. Remember, you have some power to ask for changes in the workplace. Some of the things companies can do are:
- Create work-life boundaries
- Mandate breaks and time off
- Normalize having a life outside of work
- Be flexible about hybrid and remote work options
If you are one of the many considering changing your career, consider this:
Knowing what you need is the key to being able to have fulfillment at work, so you can try to find this where you are or use it to help you find your next position.
You will have to advocate for yourself and your needs in order to find what you are looking for. Many experts say that giving your current situation a chance, could be the right way to go.
Consider for a moment if your issues are circumstantial, structural or skill-set related. If they are circumstantial, you may be able to make changes by advocating for a better work environment. If they are skill-set related, your current position may not be a good fit or you may just need to take a class or attend a training.
According to LinkedIn’s Hello Monday podcast, you can do a few things to make this time in your life better:
- Think clearly about the reason you’re thinking of resigning. Can your company do anything to make accommodations? You are in the driver’s seat. It can’t hurt to ask.
- If you are anxious about going back to the office, just try it to see how it feels. It may be that your anxiety is based in the fear of the unknown. Once you get to the office and see how things go, it might feel okay.
- If you do still decide to leave, be gracious. How can you lessen the impact of your departure? Remember, many companies see Boomerang employees; employees who come back because the grass isn’t always greener. Don’t burn any bridges.
Remember, The Great Resignation is happening all around you. Be kind to yourself and others. Consider what you need in your work life to feel valued and maintain a good balance and then ask for it. The Career Coaches at Richland Library can help you through this process.
Looking for more information?
Set up a virtual meeting with one of our certified Career Coaches through the Book a Learning Coach form or by calling 803-929-3400. After you submit, we will contact you to set an appointment. Our team provides help with interviewing skills, your résumé, interest/skills assessments, and more. Follow Richland Library on LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel for career development tips and tidbits.