the number of resignations reaches a record, 4 million in one month

It is an astonishing statistic. 4 million people quit their jobs in one month in the United States. This is a record since this data began to be studied in 2000.

What this says about the economic situation is that Americans are confident in the economic recovery and, when they can, they are more demanding. This number of 4 million people who chose to leave their post in one month, in April, is 25% more than before the pandemic.

This can be constructive because at the same time, unemployment remains high for the country: 10 million people, against less than 6 million before the pandemic. On social networks, John White, a 38-year-old employee, for example showed the cake he brought the day he announced to his bosses that he was leaving. Above it was inscribed “sorry for your loss” (sorry for your loss). He doesn’t say what he worked for, but he found a better paying job with better health insurance.

Confinements, a moment conducive to clicks

There are several reasons for this upsurge in resignations. Some quit their jobs becausethey found a better paying job. Another reason given is the facility granted or not teleworking, it has become an important argument for some. The pandemic has also forced us to have time, and therefore time to think. Clicks have occurred : like launching projects put aside.

Finally, there is a last category: those who do not have a very precise plan but who are convinced that the economic rebound will offer many possibilities, and that it is time to take advantage of them.

The sector where this trend is most pronounced is catering. Workers painfully earn $ 20,000 a year. The resignation rate is twice the national average. Like everywhere, employees have taken risks by coming to work, they want it to be rewarded. In addition, it is a sector where career development is limited. Since there are a lot of offers, now is the time to change and increase your salary quite quickly. Since the start of the year, restaurant salaries have increased by 4%: twice as fast as the average for the private sector.

Towards a rise in wages?

These mass resignations can result in higher wages. But not only in catering. Companies like Bank of America or Walmart have already raised their scales. Mechanically, the applications increased. According to a study, the increase could be 3.5% this year, the biggest increase in 13 years.

So, you have to put your data into perspective on two points. These are data for the month of April and at the moment, tout goes so fast that economically, two months is an eternity. The motivation of some employees is also amplified by all the accompanying measures, the checks that were distributed to Americans by the Trump and Biden administrations. Americans have often spent less, so they end up with a little financial cushion. It gives you wings, but this cushion will quickly deflate. Conclusion: this new energy is positive, it should not be thoughtless either.