If you haven’t heard yet, The Great Resignation has been the label of the phenomenon of people leaving their jobs in record numbers in 2021. Last September, the Labor Department reported 4.4 MILLION people quitting.
This begs the question, why are so many people leaving?
From what I’ve been reading and hearing from my friends in management or HR, there could be multiple reasons for this such as the feeling of burnout, misalignment with their employer’s values, or not feeling valued for their work.
After working throughout the pandemic, frontline workers are not getting the breaks and salaries they deserve, and knowledge workers, who realize the flexibility in life and work is better for them, are frustrated that their employers aren’t adapting to the new era of remote (or hybrid) work by requiring them to return to the offices full-time.
I’m not saying everyone should quit their jobs, but people are finally realizing that they deserve a better working condition that brings fulfillment, that pays what they’re worth, and provides them the necessary amenities like health insurance (including mental health resources), reasonable bereavement leave, and parental leave.
If you’ve been feeling unfulfilled or misaligned with your work or employer, and if you’re willing (and able) to make a change, here are some questions to help you get started on your next step in your career:
What do I enjoy about my job? What don’t I enjoy about my job?
Is there a mission a company has that I’d like to contribute to?
What values of mine do I hope my employer will align with?
Where do I envision myself in the next few years in my career?
How do I want my work to be integrated with the rest of my life & priorities?
Whether you’re thinking of moving within your company, finding another company to work for, or even changing career paths, remember that you have time. Focus on long-term improvements and gains versus short-term ones.
As the year is coming to the end, you may have more questions than answers, and that’s OK. If you’re willing to take a step back and see where you’re heading into the new year, this is obviously the best time to do it.
I’m rooting for you!