Millions of Americans leave workforce in 'the Great Resignation'

Supply chain delays and the coronavirus pandemic have caused prices to skyrocket over the past year. The most recent data from the Labor Department shows the annual inflation rate is up 6.8% from the same time last year, but despite the price hikes, millions of people are quitting their jobs in search of new opportunities. Luke Pardue is the principal economist at the payroll platform Gusto. He spoke to Lana Zak about why so many Americans feel now is the time to quit.

[Mattius]

Imagine working 50 hours a week and on your paycheck there are federal, state, and city income taxes cutting your pay in half leaving you with nothing or just enough to pay your bills. It's the perfect time to learn a new skill and get out of the low wage industry.

[eileenlester]

People are tired of working for crap wages, being overworked and treated like 🤬

[epicgamingmomentz]

Employers and big business don't give a damn about their employees. Wages are stagnant, employers get bonuses while cutting hours and wages of employees. I see it every day!!!

[marshapelo]

People realized they're taken advantaged of by employers.

[chickentikkasauce]

It’s simple. Americas worker class wants a higher standard of living. They’re burned out, and working isn’t enough to get the American dream.

[bonneykell]

American people are tired of living in poverty

[jessicah]

Target just laid off all their seasonal help the day before Christmas. I don't get 2 weeks notice from them, but I'd have to give 2 weeks notice to stay in good standing. Employees realized how expendable they are to these corporations.

[WorldsOkayestSorcerer]

Literally, the most interesting unintended consequence of COVID was people awakening to the fact that their labor is also a product and they can choose to make that product more scarce to increase its value.
I love it.

[lauralafauve]

We all had a year to find out how little we can get along with, and to realize how little we've been valued by our employers.

[CYorgey]

"How can people afford to quit their jobs?" THEY CAN'T. The problem is the job is also not paying enough to live, so. In fact SO MANY jobs aren't paying enough to live that it's threatening the stability of our country.

[TotalTomoko]

well I mean, most aren't getting a living wage in the first place so it doesn't matter for them. also if you wanna keep your employee, pay them more, its called competition

[spotlight]

I don’t believe any of it.
Corporations and business are just gouging the customers. Greed!
I went in Lowes and they have self check out now and no one working departments, except men on forklifts. Retail and grocery workers are being laid off by the hundreds and their is no help in stores for customers. Greed!Consumers might as well buy online.

[teepre]

I seen this coming when banks were writing bad mortgages. Executives were getting bonuses and bailed outs while hard working Americans were getting put out!

[heather]

Everyone is quitting because of price inflations on everything but salary. So living pay check to pay check and risk of exposure equals I can do bad all by myself.

[amandataebby]

Yep I'm no longer a miserable office secretary who spent my days being screamed at by middle management for below-average pay. I had nothing to lose when I quit. I'm a freelancer now and working at home, no one is screaming at me and micromanaging me. I'm not on the gross city bus for over an hour each morning. I work when I want as long as I meet deadlines. I can live wherever I want, and my family may move soon, so my job seamlessly goes with me. It's great! And I can only go up from here. I'm very happy that so many others are also getting into the work they love.

[blastme]

One of the best decisions I've ever made was making the decision to live cheap 10 years ago... Cheap car, cheap rent, cheap clothes, no kids and no women. The way things are heading I feel like I've somewhat prepared myself.

[CeliMe]

And you still have people saying how workers shouldn't complain for better pay at "skill-less" jobs.
But those same people are going to whine and complain how they don't have their macchiato early in the morning.

[ypnzbsq]

"How can so many people afford not to work?" It's a strike. Strikers always have to be prepared for the long haul.

[bayareagrlever]

I don’t feel sorry for employers. I’ve been trying to get a job for almost two years now and ZERO offers. College grad, long work history, increasing responsibility over the years. Yet places like Target, Traders Joes, Whole Foods, etc. (yes I’m desperate) all rejected my application without meeting me. Costco, Lowe’s, Home Depot totally ignored me. Kohls and Safeway want you to be totally available to them, but if they are paying so cheap and only part time people will need to find a second job. I don’t see how folks with young children or no child care have a chance. And what about people trying to go to school or if you have someone to care for at home? They only want to pay $14 an hour and part time anyway. So if they would stop being so greedy and discriminating because of age or the fact that you have college degrees then maybe they would find help. It makes me sick.

[thejacobin]

These CEO's would still be millionaires and billionaires if they paid people a bit more.