It’s being shared and talked about again and again on social media and in the news. The ‘Great Resignation’ is coming. It sounds dark and daunting, conjuring images of everyone up and quitting their jobs, leaving the economy in disarray.
Okay, that might be a little drastic.
But according to Anthony Klotz, an associate professor of organizational management at Texas A&M University, change is coming.
What is the Great Resignation?
The Great Resignation is the anticipated increase in employees quitting their jobs as COVID restrictions loosen and businesses start bringing employees back into the office. Some people are looking toward early retirement, some are searching for other positions. While nothing is for certain, the time spent quarantining and working from home has made many people re-evaluate their careers and what is important to them.
How Did We Get Here?
As the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the country, employers found ways to transition employees to working from home. Many people stayed at their jobs, even if they were unhappy, because they needed the income. But working remotely has created a sticky situation.
Employees have realized how much they like the flexibility. They spend less time commuting and more time with their families. They could work from anywhere they had Internet access. It was a change of pace. There was more time to explore other interests and activities.
Now that employers are shifting people back into the office, some employees are considering calling it quits. There is a lot of uncertainty about what flexibility will remain in terms of continuing to work from home or only going back into the office part-time. As the economy begins to bounce back and job opportunities increase, resignations that were previously put on hold are bubbling up again. Employees are ready to make a change. But are employers ready to change too?
What Happens Next?
Some people will quit without a new job lined up. Others will begin testing the waters and seeing what is out there. There will likely be more conversations and negotiations when it comes to working remotely vs. in the office. It will be interesting to see which trends stick and which ones don’t.
Before up and quitting, it is a good idea to see how you feel once you’ve been back in the office for a few weeks. It will take everyone some time to adjust. You may find that things are not as bad as you thought. Or, it may give you more incentive to talk to your boss about flexible work options.
If there is no wiggle room, you may decide that the job no longer aligns with what you want for your career. You may be one of those people for whom it is time to resign. Just don’t do so too hastily. Make sure you know what you’re going to do next and have the financial stability to quit.
Looking Ahead to New Opportunities
Are you ready to make a change? To see what else is out there? Start by polishing up your resume. You want to make sure that it is up-to-date and helps, not hinders, your job search. Grammar Chic can work with you to highlight your strengths and accomplishments as well as ensure your resume fits with current expectations. Contact us today at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net to schedule a consultation.
