The Great Resignation

The other day, I read an interesting opinion piece by David Brooks of the New York Times. He cites a 1982 book by economist Mancur Olson who theorized that the reason Germany and Japan has such great economic growth after World War II, unlike England, who, although being on the winning side of that conflict, experienced a deep economic slump after the war, was because as a result of the devastation those countries experience. All of their long-standing institutions – government, financial, social – were swept away and they were left adapting the best they could, all in the service of rebuilding and just surviving. Now, while the US, and the world, are not experiencing that level of catastrophic destruction, we are in a circumstance?that no one living has ever experienced before: The rebuilding after a global pandemic which killed yet uncounted millions and left families, governments and whole economies reeling from the effects. Huge swaths of our culture will need to be rethought: school, work, leisure, vacation time, dining out, going to the movies, shopping in malls and supermarkets, and, of course, wearing a face mask as a standard part of our wardrobe for who know how long, if not permanently.

A specific, but less dramatic aspect of this whole, global shift are the no less significant questions we’re asking ourselves now: Do I go back to the office? Why? Haven’t I proven that I can work proficiently while remote? Do I look for a new job? Does the new job have to be permanently remote? Am I willing to sit in a cube all day? Next to person of questionable health status? With a mask on? For 8 hours?!?

From nbcmontana.com: Robert Half, the world's largest specialized staffing firm, asked 1,000 remote workers and found that?one-third ?would consider quitting if their employer forced them back to the office full time. The report also found that most workers wanted a fully remote or hybrid schedule. Just 26% wanted to return to the office full time.

It’s everywhere:

Forbes: “One Third Of Millennials Plan To Quit Their Jobs After The Pandemic—Here’s Why, And What Employers Can Do”

CNBC: “1 in 4 workers is considering quitting their job after the pandemic—here’s why”

TIME: “The Pandemic Revealed How Much We Hate Our Jobs. Now We Have a Chance to Reinvent Work”

From the Wall Street Journal:

More U.S. workers are quitting their jobs than at any time in at least two decades, signaling optimism among many professionals while also adding to?the struggle companies face ?trying to keep up with the economic recovery.

The wave of resignations marks a sharp turn from the darkest days of the pandemic, when workers craved job security while weathering a national health and economic crisis. In April, the share of U.S. workers leaving jobs was 2.7%, according to the Labor Department, a jump from 1.6% a year earlier to the highest level since at least 2000.

And this is just the beginning. As the year presses on, and companies large and small ask, plead, and finally order their employees to be in the office, what will we do? Well, here’s some advice I think all of us should take into account before we shout “I QUIT” into the webcam.

·????????If I don’t really want to quit – talk to your employer. Maybe your employer is ready to work out a hybrid work schedule for just a few days week in the office, or maybe just for a weekly meeting. Maybe they are willing to allow you to remain remote – provided you’re not in a position where you’ll be meeting customer or vendors face-to-face.

·????????I really want to quit right now - Make sure you fully understand your company’s plans. Are there opportunities for part time or remote work? Can you take a??sabbatical while you see what happens with the virus, the economy, and your own life? For example, if everyone is ordered back to the office, but the top performers all quit at the same time rather than returning to the office, the organization may become more willing to reconsider their plan.

·????????Give the boss a chance - Consider going back for at least a week or two. Think of it as a test and a chance for you and your employer to weigh future possibilities. If it turns out that commuting to the office regularly is as difficult or uncomfortable as you thought it would be, tell your boss that you tried it, and it isn’t working. Your boss will appreciate the effort you made and view your decision in a more favorable light than simply not trying at all. Your reasons should be honest, but not all the reasons. For example, if the job doesn’t provide meaning, that doesn’t need to be said. Give specific reasons, like graduate school or the commute.

·????????How about my co-workers – Your co-workers are in the same boat as you and they’ll have their own ideas about what to do next. You can imagine them thinking they don’t really want to go back to the office, but at least you’ll be there. And then you call to say you’re not coming back. How will your decision affect theirs? Give your co-worker the time and respect of having that difficult conversation.

·????????Texting or emailing about leaving - Be careful. Communicating with your co-workers, in writing, can have unpredictable results. And try never to do it over the company network, other through personal devices. In email you can’t control the tone, and it often comes off wrong. You want to resign in as positive a way as possible. A year from now, you may miss your job and decide your novel isn’t going as well as expected. Being a boomerang employee works only if you leave all your bridges intact and not in ashes behind you.

Finally, when you are ready to make the leap and resign, take a few essential steps to protect yourself, your reputation, and your relationship with the company:

1)?????Tell Your Boss – Always have the conversation before you put anything in writing. And be sure your boss is the first person you tell – you don’t them finding out your leaving through the grapevine. This conversation could go two ways: The boss will accept your resignation or; will try to talk you into staying. If you’ve made up your mind to leave, stick to your plan. Often, employees who accept offers to stay after resigning do not get the best deal possible and the employer may just be hanging on to you just long enough to find your replacement. Quit on your own terms. You know your boss well enough to know if they’re making empty promises or if their desire to retain you is genuine. But if you still have doubts, and you believe that remaining based upon the new, agreed to terms, is what’s best for you and you’re your family, then by all means, take advantage of what’s offered. Listen to what is offered and take a day to think about it. Ask for all the new terms in writing so there are no questions later.

2)?????Submit Your Written Resignation – This is a short, professional note stating your intentions and, if necessary, your transition details. This is not the time or place to write a thousand-word diatribe on why the boss, the company, or the coffee in the break room stinks. Be nice. It will pay dividends later in your career.

3)?????Find Out When You'll Get Your Last Paycheck – Be clear on this. Your next paycheck after leaving may not be your last and it would be nice to have the assurance of a little extra income during your transition.

4)?????Check on Eligibility for Employee Benefits – Does your company payout unused accrued sick and vacation time? Will this be included in your last paycheck? Who handle the rollover of your 401K? What is the policy on your health benefits? How long with they remain effective? How do you apply for COBRA through your benefits provider?

5)?????Get References – Finally, once all else is done, ask your co-workers, other managers you’ve interacted with and even your boss if they would be a reference for your next job. The worst they can say is No and that will tell you where you stand with them. But not asking, and then needing them later on, would be a big mistake and a lost opportunity for your career.

?And so, you’ve done it!! Congratulations!! Nervous? Good. Shows you’re alive! It will all work out. Some of the best things that have happened in my life occurred after I quit a job I hated without a new one waiting. I met my spouse, bought a new home, and found a job I now really like. It’ll happen for you too. You’ve already done the hard part. You’ve taken that first, giant leap into the unknown is search of something better. Good for you. Now get back to revising your resume!