'The Great Resignation': Why millions of Americans are quitting their jobs (Full Stream 9/24)

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees across the country are reevaluating what work means to them. Following more than a year of employment uncertainty, over 3.9 million Americans quit their jobs in June 2021 in the pursuit of more meaningful careers, greater work-life balance and better compensation. This trend was coined “The Great Resignation,” and it also has employers rethinking the needs of their employees. Washington Post editor and writer Dave Jorgenson will speak with Anthony C. Klotz, a workplace expert from Texas A&M University; Molly M. Anderson, an employee-turned-entrepreneur who now runs Anderson Legal Innovation; and Elaine Welteroth, MasterClass instructor and former editor-in-chief of “Teen Vogue,” about the evolution of the workplace and how companies are responding to these ongoing changes. Join Washington Post Live on Friday, Sept. 24 at 3:00pm ET.
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[@whooelse9444]

People are tired of working themselves to the bone & struggling for basic neccessities like housing & food. Sh!t gotta change.

[@rejectionistmanifesto8836]

Companies want good slaves who are married/have kids. After about 20 years working, I'll tell young people you should not have any loyalty to any organization, they will turn on you in a second when its convenient and fire/replace you. Also to ensure no slavery, young people dont get married and dont get a girl pregnant, make sure she takes the birth control pill daily in front of you and both wear protection. You will just condemn your new child to increasing poverty and freedomless slavery and these control/money/job trends worsen. Promote this idea in videos and social media to help prevent more young people into this new slavery.

[@whooelse9444]

@@rejectionistmanifesto8836something similar happened to my mother several years ago. She worked for a company for over 25 years & when new management took over, they were trying to push out a good amount of the senior staff. So what they did was close down the central office & split it into 2 offices. The office that thie assigned her to was a financial burden in regards to the commute. She was basically forced into early retirement because she couldnt handle it anymore. I agree, these companies will get rid of someone quick, no matter how much time an employee has put into them.

[@melissastolhammer72]

If you have a toxic office culture, most employees will not want to return to the office.

[@phunt1769]

Finally, people realize that the extra 300 for unemployment was not the reason people not working. Workers want respect, a job they like and more pay. Also they open their own business.

[@azmodanpc]

When company loyalty is rewarded with less pay, less benefits, more responsibilities and less respect than the new hire, I wonder why companies have retention issues.

[@anthonywilliams3822]

Exactly how long did you expect employees to work..at pay rates that are severely beneath the cost of living rates? Then you add a vaccine mandate on top of that! This "Great Resignation" is long overdue. The cost of living can not continue to supersede employee compensation.

[@gabe-po9yi]

I’m glad it’s happening. Employers were in the mode of “you’re lucky to have a job” and, therefore, had no qualms about abusing employees. When I left my job, I was doing the work of 2.5 people. My workplace treated a mistake as though it was going to cause the end of the world. (We had nothing to do with patient healthcare or anything that would have jeopardized anyone’s wellbeing, financial status, living situation, etc. if a mistake in our work was done.)

[@Lydia-Roe]

YES! The same! When I was about to resign and then needed benefits, I saw the job description they were using for me - someone who has a Master's Degree and 10+ years of experience! I was grossly underpaid for all of my experience (20+ years, 5 certifications, 1 associate's degree , 1 undergrad degree in progress - all while single parenting!).

[@gabe-po9yi]

@@Lydia-Roe Wow, what a kick in the gut. I think I would’ve felt ripped-off, used, betrayed.

[@Lydia-Roe]

@@gabe-po9yi I'm still with the company... yeah, it was an eye opener for sure.

[@ljkhytrfcgiuihjl]

I’m prepared to leave my job. I love what I do, I really, really do, but I love my integrity more. It’s becoming apparent who really call the shots and I am not comfortable being an employee of the Satan.

[@jus3278]

Quit. Do what your heart tells you to do

[@Cute_Comments]

#Facts

[@A1lilbiih]

I quit my job in construction of 10 years after they wanted to pay me at the rate of the state i was hired in. Meanwhile i was working in new york paying new york taxes at Louisiana pay rate. The temps made more than me and i had to train them and do the majority of the work. And when i ask just for equal to the temps they were pissed. Modern business has forgot who really matters and greed has killed the worker/employer relationship. If you think its bad now watch just how bad it will be by next year the numbers are gonna go up significantly. Free lance will be the new norm.

[@captainkirk4514]

I guess, in many ways, this could be considered a reckoning for corporate America. For the better part of 4 decades, American corporations have exploited the U.S. work force. Don't misunderstand me, I'm still a believer in capitalism. Having said that companies have forgotten how valuable their employees are, for if not for them, their company would not exist. Companies have taken away many of the benefits, like pensions, paying more for their health insurance, but get less coverage. Wages, when you fact in inflation have been stagnant, and in some ways have regressed. People are working longer hours, over loaded, doing more for less, all while corporate profits have soared year after year. Companies have no respect, and treat their employees as if they are expendable assets. They don't give a reason for anyone to stay with them for 30 or 40 years of their lives. I think the pandemic was a an eye opening reality of how corporations just don't care about anything but their bottom line. It's all coming back to bit them in the a$$!

[@phinny5608]

Underrated comment.

[@rejectionistmanifesto8836]

Companies want good slaves who are married/have kids. After about 20 years working, I'll tell young people you should not have any loyalty to any organization, they will turn on you in a second when its convenient and fire/replace you. Also to ensure no slavery, young people dont get married and dont get a girl pregnant, make sure she takes the birth control pill daily in front of you and both wear protection. You will just condemn your new child to increasing poverty and freedomless slavery and these control/money/job trends worsen. Promote this idea in videos and social media to help prevent more young people into this new slavery.

[@Christopher-ss8cz]

It's funny that with all of these people talking about giving employees more flexible schedules, some work from home positions, a better work environment. . . . None of them are talking about more pay. Companies will throw everything at you but an increase in pay.

[@georgetown8986]

You also get wear your jeans and Hawaiian shirt day when you're working from your kitchen table or card table in the basement that you pay for. No more need to pay for high priced commercial office space for companies when they can force their employees to make office space in their already packed house.

[@staciamj1]

Hate when people say this, but not everyone was home during the pandemic. sighing.

[@justanothergoy5900]

That is the problem with most journalists and so called experts. They live in their bubbles divorced from reality

[@phinny5608]

That seems to be the issue with so much of the coverage out there. Tons of interviews with those that got to work from home, and barely any voice given to the millions of healthcare, retail, food service, etc. workers who still had to be exposed and had their jobs get way more stressful.

[@cheagle7140]

This must’ve been really difficult for you and others in your position. I’m so sorry 😞 I know it won’t make much of a difference right now, but know my family and I really and truly appreciate all of the frontline workers, like yourself, whom didn’t have the opportunity to work from home. You all have a lot of respect in the Lopez household and have been in our prayers.💞

[@jus3278]

Long live The Great Resignation lol

[@thelvadam2375]

"They're not going to work me like a dog, and not pay me for it" -Sir Charles Barkley.

[@T-aka-T]

Barkley!? 🐕‍🦺 Is that a Sesame Street joke? (Great quote)

[@dwessels100]

THE EMPLOYERS / COMPANY HAVE WAY TOO MUCH POWER OVER THEIR EMPLOYEES. THE EMPLOYEE HAS VERY FEW WORK RIGHTS.

[@Davey1022]

General tendency of companies in general : 1. Every thing is going well , makes managers too comfortable and think what are these people even doing . Then starts disrespect . 2. People leave managers and not companies . Trust me some are assholes . 3. Politics , the world itself is dirty . Promotions are just politics . 4. How much ever companies make , they talk about recession and cannot even afford a bun for employees let alone a burger . 5. Long working hours .

[@derekaayres]

It's because of labor practices like those employed by the man who owns The Washington Post.

[@AskDadWhy]

It’s beyond labor practices now, sir. Employment and talent acquisition is cheap, employees are the last thought of senior execs and barely visible to corporate boards. The laws in the US are extremely favorable to shareholder capitalism - just drive up stock price this quarter and the market will reward just about any corporate policy. That’s where we are at. Employees are finally starting to smell it, and they want better, or at least a piece of the action.

[@koobea4859]

That needed to be said!

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

I have no degree, i have never in my life felt like i needed one. I have no student debt and make a high wage, but.. I completely understand people leaving jobs to pursue something better. Careers should pay a livable wage for the area the job is located. People during the pandemic proved they can work from home, maybe give them the chance to stay home when and where possible. Where it's not possible, companies should implement some kind of employee safety, pay more for onsite, pay the health benefits 100% for onsite employees, give some incentive to those who are risking there health to come to your company. This isn't rocket science.

[@cheagle7140]

You’re absolutely right. It’s not rocket science, it’s basic human rights and respect ✊🏻

[@whooelse9444]

@@cheagle7140 they also should cover 100% of an employee's commuting expenses. Cant tell me these multi-billion dollar a year companies cant afford it.

[@MasterTSayge]

I quit my office job and became a minimalist in 2020 and worked part-time as a tour guide. My pay was cut in half but I became extremely happier! I lost 55 pounds, became more healthier, made more friends, spent more time with family, and went outside more. I had no idea how poisonous office environments were. NEVER AGAIN! Plus, I'm proud of all of you for quietquitting.

[@MichaelAlexander1967]

Being led by enthusiasm is great until you start to experience deterrents that strong arm you into choosing a less desirable path or option. That's when it becomes drudgery rather than a fulfilling career. I guess that's "the point of diminishing returns".

[@AskDadWhy]

She transitioned to self-employment, which is liberating, but it won’t be different unless she adds lawyers and becomes the boss over the very structure she left. I suspect she will succeed at that.

[@mbtvalli]

Molly, if you succeeded in law school you’re more than just privileged. You worked your ass off. Just saying.

[@jonstevens7269]

The situation is really bad for those of us over 55 who were forced out of the workforce in 2020. A 30 something year old HR rep wont look at us -- wonders why we aren't retired!

[@craigs1437]

The toxic American Western culture don't respect their elders whereas, Eastern countries such as Europe and Asia respect their elders. Bill Gates was a smart man in going into business for himself then, outsourced those jobs overseas to the East with the rich politicians helping guys like him along. Does this help?

[@tedeliason3483]

The AI screening is so hellish, so dehumanizing and indifferent, it's not worth the effort relative to other paths to making a living. It might have started as an an efficiency software decision that evolved into a standard practice, but the current state of the technology is "stupid AI". It reduces people to an algorithmic set of check marks. It does not consider things like motivation, passion, values alignment, etc. As if human beings can be reduced to a set of credentials, key buzz words, ages and zip codes. The current system is grotesquely inefficient because it is soulless, and rewards soullessness.

[@sharatchandra1136]

AI is as good as a mirage, because it totally depends on the person who assembled the algorithm. At the moment I don't trust the AI except in non-decisional tasks.

[@Lydia-Roe]

If you do not have a family, partner/spouse / child support/ alimony/ inheritance or other support - you CANNOT start your own business successfully unless you've had a high position / high paying job or multiple gigs for years. It doesn't work without going into debt otherwise. - Single mom of 3 , with 2 ++ Jobs (not paying more than 80k total gross/ 25k net) . I've been underpaid, but with the mindset of employers, "You should be grateful to eat the gravel off the bottom of my shoes"... really? My team makes the cogs in your machine turn. I think people are just finally being able to give themselves breathing room to get healthy (interesting irony during COVID...). ALSO - STOP THE HOURS REQUIREMENTS. This is/has been/will be obsolete! Stop trying to control people through wasted hours - that's disrespectful, hence the position we are in now. It's project and needs based and needs to be negotiated strategically with each employee (not the position, the PERSON).

[@lynsamarsayers5547]

I don't blame them I don't want my life or my family's life on the line

[@kelvinnguyen6048]

Please provide your sources.

[@missbell1634]

I’m exhausted at work the unsustainable workload has me disconnected from what I do at this point

[@celestelongway7315]

Well done!

[@observer.b_e_l_l_i_s]

What a joke.

[@Phamyunx]

Things are really that simple. Here are my two cents: 1. Maybe the shelf time of your skills is so short so that you can be easily replaced by others or robots. You feel like that your career face a bottle neck. Then you look for career changes or go back to school to retool yourself. Mastering some hard skills which are not easily replaced may be one of the solutions; 2. Sometimes people quit and complain their bosses are jerks or bitches. Well, if you have other choices, you can always accuse your boss a jerk or bitch. However, just be careful that the green is not necessarily greener in other places.

[@projekt679]

Really!? Anyone who’s imposing unrealistic covid mandates.

[@YouAREyoubeYou]

Or maybe the vaccine mandate. I thought it was my body my choice🤔

[@jlov3420]

Thats the biggest one!!!

[@cheagle7140]

But let me guess, you believe that the vaccine has something to do with the “Mark of the Beast”, don’t you? Well, you’ve been misled. The Mark of the Beast is NOT a vaccine nor a barcode or any of the such! It’s over worship. Period. Worshiping on SUNday, is the FALSE Sabbath. The 4th commandment is very clear to REMEMBER to keep the Sabbath day holy on SATURDAY, the 7th day. There in not one verse in the word of God that says the Sabbath was abolished nor changed… NOT ONE! So, worshiping on SUNday is worshiping the Beast, his image and the number of a man-666. What do evangelical SUNday churches have in common with Catholic Churches? That’s right! SUNday worship is the common denominator. Go look up what number the Catholic Pope’s titles equals and tell me that not the number of the Beast (Satan) mentioned in Revelation.

[@sallycook5224]

I'd like you to talk to me "a business owner", we own 2 small deli's. The cost to the business owners is ridiculous for these job leavers.

[@victorcarulei9064]

This resignation by the millennial’s, I guess, will automatically result in more pay from a company making less profits because workers now indulge in “get to know” your co worked better? Just asking. Will somebody lease cuddle the puppies.

[@victorcarulei9064]

So you left the capitalist castle. And now what? Where did you suddenly find your entrepreneurial skills. Selling T shirts on line I guess is a start.

[@iceberg9248]

What will they eat. Where will they get money?

[@maxwellwellmax878]

Other jobs, Plenty of: Now Hiring signs around town.

[@observer.b_e_l_l_i_s]

Come on now you and i already know the answer to that... the "responsible" will be held to take care of them as we already have just by way of taxation. Oh and well also be held to take care of the other meatdolls pouring in through our borders while they sit back tiktoking or bitching about something else that they played a part in ushering in. So sick of sharing a country with these grown ass children.

[@juliepeterson5617]

“Thee Paris Hill”, I just watched a video of yours about how you can’t work because you are too tired. Isn’t that you in the video? How strange that you are so worried that other people (like you?) might receive help.

[@clownbaby43]

Government handouts

[@observer.b_e_l_l_i_s]

Exactly smh

[@Davey1022]

I always wondered , how much does these handouts last ?

[@starseedshan6294]

Elaine W. is amazingly beautiful and inspiring!! So glad to have caught this clip.

[@moretoliving2236]

7:20 ohh gee what a surprise! Someone with a useless degree in communications cant get a job… 9/2 people that pursue journalism and communications go into low paid highly saturated field where your value is zero. You quit… 65,000,000 will take your place because they too are out of a job. She should have used pandemic as a tool to pursue another career

[@anyone150]

Or she (the woman with a "useless" journalism degree) could be her own journalist on her own KZbin Channel too. A number of people did and some used to work for a major media outlet and now have their own KZbin channel.

[@KingNeutral1]

@@anyone150 it’s notoriously hard to make a career out of KZbin due to it being overssaturated; and weird algorithms that demonitize your content for arbitrary reasons.

[@williammorris3815]

I was always able to find work without a degree and after receiving my degree, I also found work. If one works while attending university, debt free graduation is possible.

[@turnthepage867]

Obamacare made it possible to quit and start your own business.The pandemic is the opportunity.

[@kingofthecatnap6246]

Pathetic news channel.

[@TechVistaHub369]

@/california @/texas @/florida @/newyork @/pennsylvania @/illinois @/ohio @/georgia @/northcarolina @/michigan @/newjersey @/virginia @/washington @/arizona @/massachusetts @/usa @/unitedstates @/jobs ​@/thegreatresignation #resignation #employees