Why people quit their job in 2021?

In the last article of the year 2021, we’ll cover a very interesting topic why people quit their jobs in 2021. This phenomenon is also known as the Great Resignation and it’s primarily fueled by the fact people don’t want to get back into offices!

This article was last updated in November 2022, and the Great Resignation is still very much a hot topic. However, something interesting started to happen a few months ago with large and small companies – they started to fire people. So, in the second half of 2022, we’ve got a combo of people quitting and getting fired.

Article update: July 2023 – the situation is so different today that it seems as if the original article was written years ago. There are only a few tech companies that did not lay people off. People want remote work and can’t seem to get it. So, the market has really changed. This is true today, in October 2023 and we’ll see how things will be going into 2024.

Work from home really led to people quitting their jobs in 2021?

When Covid-19 hit, most office workers were sent home. Seeing that no company suffered from this shift, and for most it was business as usual, it is actually understandable that people want to stay working from home.

If you think this is a silly request, I’ll list just a few reasons why they are pushing for it.

 

Firstly, people turned their lives upside-down.

Some are now new parents; others are finally comfortable with home-schooling. Everyone has established a new dynamic with the family. Not to mention that some people moved to the countryside or another town.

Moreover, when working from home, one can take out the laundry or have lunch with their spouse. It’s the little things that make people happy. If you think this is not enough to want people to quit their job, think again!

 

Secondly, people are more productive.

In the office, there’s always a distraction. Truth be told, it doesn’t have to be a conscious attempt to avoid work. It simply happens when you go to make tea or grab a coffee.

On the contrary, when working from home, there are no distractions in that sense. Meaning, you can do your work and be done with it. Providing you establish your routine and your household members respect it, of course!

 

There is absolutely no logical reason why people should return to the office. The most compelling evidence is that everything is done on time. So, in other words, people are as productive as in offices, if not more!

 

Thirdly, the commute.

One of the main reasons why people quit their job in 2021 was precisely this – the commute!

On top of the fact that they don’t have to be in an office to do their jobs, there’s the commute. Why would anyone want to waste their time commuting if they can do the tasks from their homes? Not only do workers waste time and money commuting for a job they can do from home, but they’re also increasing their carbon footprint if they have to drive all that way.

 

Any other reason why people quit their job in 2021?

Certainly, I am not claiming that working from home is the sole reason for the Great Resignation. There are other things like digital burnout and the impacts of lockdowns, as well as the shift of priorities.

Indeed, some want to focus on self-growth while others want to leave the corporate world and become an entrepreneur. Evidently, there’s a whole variety of reasons why people quit their job in 2021, but this year, it goes beyond just compensation packages and workplace atmosphere.

Of course, there are people outside of the working from home gang who are considering quitting. Or who have quit their job in 2021. Perhaps we’re talking about healthcare workers or general operatives, sales assistants or construction workers. They too are beginning to see there are other options and they’d like to avail of them.

 

So, what is the Great Resignation?

Because a lot of people quit their job in 2021 and many more plan on doing so in the near future, we’re witnessing a real shift on a global level.

 

Without a doubt, this pandemic changed things forever. People realized what’s truly important to them and they expect the companies to cop on. Priorities changed, the way of living changed, way of working has changed, too! Therefore, if employees are leading the way, the companies will have to follow if they want to retain talent.

People are asking for more flexibility and individuality. We are a part of something major and we need to monitor the situation closely.

 

To truly understand the magnitude of what’s happening in the US, UK, Ireland, and many other countries, check out articles about it. If the World Economic Forum has written about it, then you know how real this is.

 

To clarify, this will not end when 2021 ends. In my opinion, those who quit their job in 2021 were in the first wave of the Great Resignation. We’re yet to see what the future brings.

In the meantime, if you are thinking about switching jobs and need help with CV writing, make sure to check this out. If you’d like to discuss your options, book a one-off Exploring Options counseling session here. If you’ve been let go, reach out and we can help.

 

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