Why so many who took part in the Great Resignation have regrets
Changing economic conditions are leaving many of those who left jobs during the so-called Great Resignation with resigner’s remorse. A survey of 825 employees conducted by HR and payroll solutions provider Paychex found that 80% of those who quit regret their decision.
Factors that turned ‘resigners’ into ‘regretters‘
The thing job hoppers missed most about their former place of employment—especially female respondents—was their coworkers, followed by salary, bonuses, and health insurance. Recognition and flexibility-related perks, however, ranked near the bottom of the list, suggesting that workers may have switched jobs in pursuit of greater flexibility, but didn’t put enough emphasis on other factors. Jeff Williams, Paychex’s vice president of enterprise and HR solutions, speculates that inflation could be to blame, as the higher compensation levels promised by new employers likely didn’t result in as much of a lifestyle upgrade as many had hoped.
Do your homework before quitting
According to a Joblist study, more than half of respondents believe they have the upper hand in today’s employment market, with 78% believing they can command a higher salary by switching jobs. The prospect of a recession should lead to more thoughtful consideration, rather than more hurried one, according to Joblist CEO Kevin Harrington. With employers struggling to hire and retain talent, Harrington warns that some will over-emphasize the positive aspects of their employment proposition and hide those that make it seem less desirable. As a result, he says to do some due diligence before making any decisions.
Don’t take your work friends for granted
While money and flexibility are the primary motivators for changing jobs, research has found that workplace relationships are a primary driver of employee satisfaction. “A higher salary at a business where you don’t feel a sense of community, that can only drive satisfaction for so long,” says Dr. Antoinette Boyd, director of career success and professional development at Maryville University. “It doesn’t shock me that coworkers are number one [in the Paychex study], because we know that wherever you work the people make the place.”