According to the US Department of Labor (www.dol.gov) 4.4 million Americans accounting for 3% of all employees in America quit their jobs in September 2021. This quitting trend marked the second month in a row that saw record numbers of Americans leaving their jobs.
The Numbers
The 4.4 million workers who quit in September comes on the heels of the 4.2 million jobs that have gone unfilled since February 2020, before the pandemic hit. So, what’s the story behind the numbers?
Two-Tiered Trend
Americans leaving their jobs en masse is likely a two-tiered trend. Inasmuch as those who left positions that could expose them to COVID, others left jobs for better wages. Other factors include childcare restraints and those who could take early retirement thanks to a rising stock market and home valuations that have hit record highs.
Calls to Raise Salaries
Mainstream media outlets such as CBS News are reporting that American minimum wage(s) are being increased while teacher groups are asking for raising wages. Regardless of retirement trends, the role that COVID has played cannot be underestimated. Not only are American workers afraid of catching COVD, many fear they could bring home the illness and infect vulnerable family members.
Elaine Allan, BA, MBA
Technology and Business Blogger
Vancouver, BC, Canada