Forget Going Back to the Office—People Are Just Quitting Instead

Lauren Weber

As the pandemic clouds lift, the percentage of Americans leaving employers for new opportunities is at its highest level in more than two decades

The shift by Americans into new jobs and careers is prompting employers to raise wages and offer promotionsto keep hold of talent. The appetite for change by employees indicates many professionals are feeling confident about jumping ship for better prospects, despite elevated unemployment rates.

While a high quit rate stings employers with greater turnover costs, and in some cases, business disruptions, labor economists say churn typically signals a healthy labor market as individuals gravitate to jobs more suited to their skills, interests and personal lives.

In March 2020, Edward Moses was hired as an information-technology specialist at a software company, believing he would be part of a team supporting colleagues in four U.S. offices. Instead, after a round of layoffs, he found the team had one member, and he was it. “It was effectively me against the help-desk queue,” the 37-year-old says.

The days were stressful, he says, and there were few opportunities for promotion. A 5% raise after a strong performance evaluation didn’t quell his frustration. This spring, Mr. Moses gave notice and started a new job—and career path—as a technical writer at electronic-signature company DocuSign.

“It feels wonderful to take my staunch love for proper grammar and make it into a job,” says Mr. Moses, who has a master’s degree in education.

Several factors are driving the job turnover. Many people are spurning a return to business as usual, preferring the flexibility of remote work or reluctant to be in an office before the virus is vanquished. Others are burned out from extra pandemic workloads and stress, while some are looking for higher pay to make up for a spouse’s job loss or used the past year to reconsider their career path and shift gears.

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Via Forget Going Back to the Office—People Are Just Quitting Instead – By Lauren Weber — Just Sayin’