The ongoing trend of workers leaving their jobs worldwide from Spring 2021 onwards has been dubbed the ‘Great Resignation’ or the ‘Big Quit’. But why are workers leaving their jobs – and should you?
Following the multiple lockdowns (in many countries) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a marked increase in staff turnover. In the UK, 4.7% of workers have resigned, numbers that are at a five year high. However, this isn’t just a European issue – the Great Resignation is being felt across the globe.
Usually, in times of high unemployment, resignation and hiring rates both decrease. However, the Great Resignation is bucking these trends as employees resign in high numbers – despite high unemployment rates.
There are several reasons why people are seeking a change in their employment. For some, the pandemic caused them to reconsider their priorities and take steps towards a ‘dream job’, become a stay at home parent or start a business.
For others, it has been down to concerns about safety in the workplace due to a lack of COVID-19 precautions, or a preference to continue working from home when an employer has ordered staff back to the office.
Resigning from your role is a very personal decision and one that only you can make, but here are some factors to take into consideration if you are thinking about taking the plunge.
Or, do you have enough financial security to tide you over several months? The last thing you want when quitting your job is to end up in a financially precarious position and regret your decision. One big benefit of leaving your role now is that it is a candidate’s marketplace with a high number of vacancies, but it is always good to have a buffer just in case.
If you are considering leaving your job because of the job itself (rather than because you have a better opportunity elsewhere), think about what it is that you don’t like. Is it something that could be fixed by a conversation with your manager? If it isn’t, then it’s probably time to move on.
Burnout is affecting many at the moment, particularly with travel restrictions causing people to postpone their annual leave. However, it’s important to take a break. If you want to leave your job and haven’t had a holiday in a while, take some time to yourself. If you feel the same way afterwards, it’s time to start the job hunt.
If you’ve weighed up all of the options and decided that resigning is the way forward, we could help with your next role. Head over to our Jobs page to view all of the exciting opportunities that we have available right now.
