Job Dissatisfaction: Key Reasons That Motivate Workers to Quit Their Jobs

by Elizabeth Mackenzie

The current evolution of the US economy had a strong impact on the national job market. The main causes of this situation are the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, government subsidies, and the global supply chain disruption. But also, the mentality and work behaviors of society are no longer the same as two years ago.

According to Oxford Economics, in the United States, there were only 0.74 unemployed persons available for each job opening in September 2021. This is the lowest proportion recorded in the country’s history. Read the article below if you need more information to make your next important employment decision.

Why Do People Feel Encouraged to Resign?

This phenomenon, known in the United States as ‘the Great Resignation,’ occurs amid a period of mild economic recovery after the recession that generated the shock of the pandemic. Let’s see the reasons behind these massive resignations.

Better Working Conditions

According to a survey by CareerArc and Harris Poll, 23 percent of Americans plan to leave their job in the next 12 months. The number one reason to quit is better working conditions, like those offered by tech jobs, such as software development or web developers. Specifically, 32 percent of that group want to work in a more optimal situation.

Higher Pay

According to the same survey, twenty-nine percent of American workers quit their job in search of higher wages. The increase in the cost of living due to the accelerating growth of inflation in the United States motivates employees to seek salaries of $15 or $20 per hour and even more.

More Flexible Job Offers

Americans are looking for jobs with a lower workload without tight schedules. In fact, working women experience an additional burden when managing their time well, as they must fulfill responsibilities such as childcare tasks, virtual schooling, and their university careers.

Other Important Data You Need to Know Before Deciding on Your Work Status

The CareerArc and Harris Poll study also indicates that 70 percent of workers who plan to resign in the next 12 months will do so between December 2021 and February 2022. The rest will leave in November 2022. This factor demonstrates the urgency of the American workforce to reinvent itself and improve its sources of income.

On the other hand, the survey revealed that young employees (between 18 and 34) are twice as likely to think about quitting as older workers (between 35 and 64 years old). The country’s youth population does not feel economical, job, and professional satisfaction with their current occupation. The demand for better career opportunities is growing rapidly in the United States. People want to do work that they are passionate about, which aligns with their values.

Radical Change in Job Satisfaction in the US

Americans’ perception and sense of happiness with their work have changed rapidly in the past five years. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, in 2016, nearly half of American workers were “very satisfied” with their current job. On the other hand, three out of 10 were “somewhat satisfied,” and the rest said they were “somewhat dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied.”

But in 2022, the reality is different. According to a Forbes study, more than half of Americans feel “dissatisfied” with their work. Less than 50 percent of American workers think they have good jobs. The study also detailed that most of those who have bad jobs consider that their quality of life is low.

Conclusion

Quitting a job can be a difficult decision. However, the most important thing is to evaluate your well-being, quality of life, and financial situation. The statistics show strong data, but the choice is in your hands. Guide yourself based on verified information, a good job offer, and potential professional development opportunities.

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