My Take on The Great Resignation

If you run in any HR circles there is no doubt the phrase, “The Great Resignation”,  has crossed your path. I have read countless articles that have a variety of reasons why people have chosen this path the last two years. Most of these are attributed to C-19, job insecurity, leaving to start their own business, or toxic work culture. My question is, all these things existed before,  so why now? Could it be that the information shared through various media outlets triggered a sort of fight or flight response in so many of us? I say, yes.

My take on the great resignation is that the state of the world has allowed people to rethink their lives and values. During that review of self, I think many have come to realize that the one thing we can’t negotiate is time. We all have just 24 hours in a day whether rich, poor, or somewhere in the middle. Which leaves the internal question of, how are we going to spend that time. Certainly not in a job that doesn’t appreciate you or fulfill your needs. Time has suddenly been thrust in the front lines as an immeasurable value as it always should have been.

As a person who spent years in a job that was rarely satisfying or even happy, I understand the hesitation to leave. It met my basic needs for a home, food, and car but under the circumstances of a worldwide health challenge, this is no longer enough. I tried hard to create purpose but I worked for a company that outwardly appeared an engaged workplace, however, in truth they wanted soldiers. I never signed up for the military because taking orders has never been my thing. Turns out that higher ups in organizations don’t like when it is pointed out their methods contradict the written policies put in place to protect the company and their most valuable assets, the employee.

This  is when I found the courage to live my purpose and decided to leave a company of 25 years during the great resignation. The covid situation simply highlighted the urgency as a well timed reminder that life is short, meant for living and working happy. So while many took the opportunity to start new during this time, for this I applaud you. For those of you still working in a miserable job, I plea. Have the courage to make yourself happy no matter what that looks like. This can start by having the right mindset or joining groups of like minded people as support.  If you don’t know where to begin, start by praying because this too shall pass.

Virginia ~ Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.