Here’s why everyone is quitting their jobs

We may be familiar with the warning: “if you’re not happy, there’s the door” – and that’s exactly what people are doing. People are quitting their jobs like never before. Why? Because they’re unhappy.

Over 19 million Americans quit their jobs since April 2021, including 4.4 million in September alone. And according to a study by McKinsey, 40% of people worldwide are currently considering leaving their jobs, and most of them are willing to quit without having another job lined up.

Why people quit isn’t just about their status or salary. It’s actually a wider societal problem – a lack of human connection and community in a world where people spend more time gazing at a screen than at each other, a lack of empathy in a world that has rewarded toxic productivity for far too long, and a lack of purpose in a world where people are running repetitive tasks that feel meaningless. 

The result is an overworked, stressed and burnt out workforce with little time and space to enjoy their lives or be themselves except during the temporary reprieve of a weekend or the occasional holiday.

Pay rises and promotions are no longer enough to keep people happy in their jobs, and employees are voting with their feet by walking away.

So what are the reasons behind “The Great Resignation”? Here’s my take on it:

1. Toxic company culture 

Our environment plays a big role in our happiness. If we are surrounded by colleagues with sunken faces trudging through their tasks or passive-aggressive managers, it’s inevitably going to affect us. So is a culture where basic manners, kindness, and empathy are lacking. People often mirror whatever they see others doing, so a company culture that radiates its own values by putting them into practice will only have them reflected back to them by their employees.

2. Unclear communication

I’m a big fan of Brene Brown who says: “Clear is Kind. Unclear is Unkind”. Unclear communication, whether spoken or written, only results in expectations not being met. Unmet expectations cause unhappiness. It’s impossible for anyone to be a total mind reader, so investing the time to communicate clearly will only lead to higher quality results. Communicating kindly increases motivation, resulting in higher happiness levels and productivity.

3. Lack of appreciation

One of the most important ways to instantly make someone feel appreciated for their work is to give them recognition – and it costs nothing. How many times have you worked hard on a project, only to see the congratulatory feedback go to your superior while you’re hiding in CC. Public recognition is showing someone that they matter, and that they are valued.

4. No sense of belonging

When I talk to people who are happy in their jobs, they often tell me their team is “their family”. This is probably one of the biggest factors influencing employee retention as people feel increasingly disconnected from one another. Even when trapped in a job that leaves them unfulfilled, if they feel that their colleagues are family, they would think twice to leave. But beyond the team is also feeling part of something big – something that is being achieved together.

5. Lack of meaning and purpose

One of the factors most cited to have contributed to people quitting en masse in the last year is that they feel they are working repetitive tasks that lack meaning and purpose and that contribute nothing to the world. But knowing that your work will have a positive impact is just one part of finding meaning and purpose in your job – the other part is to feel that you are using your innate talents and gifts, and that you are able to authentically express yourself through your work.

6. Hierarchical injustice

Equality is a key determinant of happiness in societies according to global measures such as the World Happiness Report. We can only expect the same in the workplace, and clear differences in treatment, benefits and entitlement purely based on status and rank leads to a sense of hierarchical injustice that essentially places more value and worth on some more than others. 

But there is some good news in all this. We are on the cusp of a huge paradigm shift in the world of work as companies realise that they need to offer attractive (meaning healthy) working conditions to an employee-driven market. As McKinsey states in their study – “The Great Resignation” may become “The Great Attraction”.

Companies had already started to invest in corporate wellness programmes, providing yoga and meditation to their employees, perhaps with the occasional masseuse stopping by the office pre-pandemic. After COVID-19, investment in mental health continued to increase as employees were burning out from screen time under lockdown. And while this plays a significant role in coping with chronic stress and anxiety, it helps to treat the wound – not heal it.

What we need now is to look deep into company culture, leadership styles and employee fulfilment. Companies should develop a sense of community to the point that employees feel they are part of a family working towards something big – a wider purpose where their work is both meaningful and valued.

Companies are waking up to the fact that they need to keep their employees happy if they want to keep them at all. It’s time to create a work culture that is more human – that allows us to flourish and leaves us fulfilled.