'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.

Follow us:

[melissastolhammer]

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

[whooelse]

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

[phunt]

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.

[anthonywilliams]

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-poyi]

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.)

[Alilbiih]

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.

[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.

[captainkirk]

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$$!

[Christopher-sscz]

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.

[staciamj]

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

[thelvadam]

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

[Davey]

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 .

[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.

[dwessels]

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

[derekaayres]

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

[rustbeltrobclassic]

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.

[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.

[MichaelAlexander]

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".

[mbtvalli]

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