Everything you need to know about The Great Resignation

Every week, Maddyness curates articles from other outlets on a topic that is driving the headlines. This week, we're talking about the Great Resignation, who's quitting, and how workers can still reset their working habits if they don't want to quit

Temps de lecture : 3 minutes

Almost a quarter of UK workers are planning to change jobs in the next few months as part of the “great resignation” according to recent data. The trend of more employees switching employers has been caused by post-pandemic burnout and more job vacancies.

The data, which was revealed by recruitment firm Ranstad UK found that 69% of the 6000 workers surveyed felt confident about their plans to move to a new role in the coming months, while a further 24% admitted planning to change within three to six months. The figures represent a significant increase from the 11% of workers expected to move jobs in any other year.

More workers quitting could cost employers as much as £25,000 for each worker. But the feeling is more positive among employees, who are confident about finding a new job, with only 16% admitting to feeling worried about this.

Young people are paving the way

Young people are leading The Great Resignation. Recent research from Employment Hero found that young people between the age of 25 and 34 were most open to change, with 77% actively looking to change jobs in the next year. A further 74% of 18-24-year-olds admitted they were aspiring to be in a new position within a year.

As the generation who disproportionately suffered from burnout – with 59% of millennials, and 58% of Gen Z reporting feelings of burnout - young people are now prioritising a work-life balance, and are less likely to settle for jobs which cannot provide this.

Read more about the young people quitting their jobs via Metro.

CEOs are joining the resignation

But young people are not the only group quitting their jobs. Research suggests senior level employees and CEOs are also looking for a career change.

According to recruiting firm Heidrick & Struggles, there were 103 CEO appointments in the first half of 2021 out of a total of 1,095 companies across 24 regions, including the US, China and some European countries.

That is more than double the 49 companies who changed CEOs only six months earlier in the second half of 2020.

How can workers ensure their jobs better meet their needs without quitting?

While masses are looking for new opportunities, quitting or switching is not an ambition nor an option for everyone.

Experts recommend that those staying in their jobs take active steps to make sure their own working lives meet their needs, including renegotiating roles and pay, ensuring resignation of colleagues doesn’t create excess workloads, and taking advantage of the opportunity to help restructure the workplace or mentor new colleagues.