Though sometimes misunderstood, the Great Resignation represents a profound transformation in the world’s workforce. More than ever, employees are quitting their work by the millions, voting with their feet in search of joy and purpose. RotaCloud, a staff management software provider, was the first to name this phenomenon. It was born from an environment where lockdowns forced individuals to reconsider their lives and career goals.
After the pandemic-era lockdowns, hundreds of thousands of Americans developed a new sense of urgency about their workplaces and careers. In doing so they confronted the uncomfortable realities of their workplaces. They found themselves trapped in gloomy, joyless jobs. This introspection led to a staggering statistic: nearly one in four workers began planning a job change, driven by a desire to seek better opportunities that aligned with their personal values and happiness.
After all, the Great Resignation was much more than simply quitting one’s job. It reflected a deep hunger for satisfaction on the job among employees across a number of sectors and fields. On top of that, employees started placing more value on their overall well-being and job fulfillment rather than just economic survival. This generational change reflects that individuals today are increasingly seeking positions that enable personal development. In particular, they yearn for engagement and a deep sense of purpose in their work.
RotaCloud’s naming of the movement “The Great Resignation” wonderfully sums up the core of this movement. This phenomenon played out worldwide, disrupting supply chains and sectors that spanned the retail to technological spectrum. People are quitting their jobs in search of greater purpose. This transformation is putting employers to the test as they try to keep up with talent and respond to the growing needs of today’s workers.
Beyond the individual job changes that make headlines, the implications of the Great Resignation point to a historic pivot in workforce trends. Now more than ever, companies have to make an effort to be more inclusive and reevaluate their workplace cultures, benefits, or overall employee engagement strategies. The pressure to fill those jobs is surging. It’s up to businesses to get serious about the environments they create and how they contribute to happiness and satisfaction.