Is the Great Resignation Really Because People Hate Their Jobs?

I’m the first to admit that my little LinkedIn surveys are far from scientific, balanced statistically, or otherwise projectable.?

HOWEVER…I am a big believer in “people listening” for general orientation and direction, and if you read all of the responses and comments as I do for every post of mine, you will agree that it's a pretty diverse audience…science be damned.

This intro and weaselly caveat leads me to my latest question:

If you weren’t already in your line of work, would you enter it today???

My view is that this question is key in understanding the so-called “Great Resignation”—Re-Calibration; Re-set; Re-Whatever—and in separating the wheat from the chaff, or in business terms, the BS from the insight about what is really happening…Are people resigning en masse? And if they are, is it because they hate what they do? Or rather, as I have written, is it because:

1. They are fed up with their cold, impersonal workspaces…I might as well be at Starbucks or at home.
2. Free Cheerios, a ping pong table, and the occasional beer just don’t cut it anymore.
3. Lack of diversity; too much politics; little focus on me…lots of focus on profit that I don’t see.
4. Too much talk…too little action in general.

All of the above? Some? Other??

I have been intrigued as I follow the discussion and see article after article suggesting that people will never come back to work as it was…to jobs they don’t like, and offices they hate (that I get). And yet, as I talk to people across the globe, I find that in general more are excited to see colleagues than not; more are looking forward to ending the isolation and getting back to some form of face-to-face collaboration than those who want to stay in Tibet on the mountaintop; and more want their workplace to be better, more personal, and more responsive to their needs and open to flexibility.

KNEE-JERK ALERT – hybrid workplace…get it. No one is advocating for a 9-5+ return to what was.

I can only speak for New York, so I’d love to hear your perspective on what it looks like where you are…but I can tell you that every day there are more people:

• On the trains (I take the subway to work every day and have been for over a year…I have watched it go from me and one drunk to a full train at key times).
• Outside walking in the business districts.
• Having business lunches at restaurants and more food being delivered to offices.
• In the elevators, and yes, bathrooms.
• In offices…dusting desks and clearing cobwebs.

Not to mention, it seems like there are more tourists roaming the streets and people in stores.

As I have previously reported, partying has been back in full swing for a long time, and dinner is fully booked at restaurants inside and out.??

Ergo…asking about specific job choice satisfaction seemed an appropriate, and yes, important question in order to fully understand what our future might look like as a working world.?

Honestly? I was surprised…seriously surprised. Based on everything I read, from the opining pundits (yes, I’m sarcastic), one might have surmised that we were all miserable in our choices and using this opportunity to change careers...trajectories…focus…whatever.

Turns out that, un-scientifically, this might not be so.

67% of you answered yes, you would enter the same line of work today. WOW!

I must encourage you to read all of the comments. So much inspiration. So much insight. So much honesty.?

Let me share some of my favorite responses:

• My career and life coaching feel like the culmination of all my previous professional postings. I love working with people and organizations to achieve their desired results.
• I’m grateful to be able to do this.
• Ab$o#@!POLLutely?
• I work in Advertising and wouldn’t change that. I love it and it fascinates me as much as it did when I first started out. Although I think I’d like to put it to more good use, but it’s hard when you need the client on board with the good-doing.
• Yes, I would! I had crossed a couple of lines of work before finding the harmonious balance between what I value and what I enjoy doing. I started out as a computer science engineer. I did graphic design and 3d animation soon after. I was looking for ways to combine creativity, observation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. I started doing user experience design and there has been no looking back.
• Today, I am a designer and I enjoy researching and integrating diverse perspectives into the products through collaboration.?
• Good Question? I starting working 3wks out of HS at one of the largest Mfg. Plants in it’s area of expertise. - I had planned on either going into the Marines or Air Force. I even passed both Test, but My Mother didn’t want me to leave. My oldest brother was already working for the same Plant for 7yrs & told me that I should work for a few yrs. at this Company. I did & for over 20yrs. - At the age of 23, one of my 4 Sister’s was diagnosed with Stage 4 -Colon Cancer. She was also divorced & had 2 very young children. My work was in Royal Oak & I worked worked 6-7 days/wk, 10-14hrs/day. - Every day after work, I’d drive to U of M Hospital & spend the night. They even gave me my own Room, washed my clothes, & fead me. 8 months later, my Sister passed away. Before my Sister passed, she asked if I would take care of her children. I was the youngest of 9 Sibling’s that ranged 14-22yrs older than I. At the age of 24, I became a Father to my 2yr old niece with DS & my 8yrs old nephew. I certainly don’t regret this decision at all. I didn’t get to achieve my dreams of becoming a Marine or a Pilot. ??However, I was a Rockstar?? to my niece & nephew?? ??WAY BETTER!??

And equally as honest and inspiring:

• Honestly, I had been asking myself that question since the pandemic hit us. The first thought I always get is to start working with people instead of machines. Probably I will check some psychology courses and finish my coach certification. Thanks for the wakeup call!

Yes, people don’t want the status quo. Clearly, we all want a better work environment.

The good news is that most of us seem to like what we do.?

Employers, that is the place to start…

Respect for what everyone does. For the value they add. For the journeys they are on. For the good they want to do.

Respect that, and you can save yourself the cost of the free cereal and the angst of sitting on empty real estate.?

What’s your view?