In December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that 4.2 million Americans, representing 2.8% of the workforce, quit their jobs in October. A record 4.4 million Americans voluntarily left their jobs in September, and 4.3 million quit their positions in August, according to the bureau.
Briscoe said “The Great Resignation” has affected all industries, and employers are responding by trying to meet the needs of a changing workforce.
“Employers are challenged when they're thinking about attracting and retaining,” he said. “How do they meet the needs of this workforce that doesn't all agree in terms of what they want, in terms of policies they're willing to stand, they're willing to keep going to work for? That's a real juggling act.”
Briscoe said younger generations have the potential to reshape the working world, including through higher expectations for better wages, benefits, working conditions and remote work opportunities.
“The younger cohorts have higher expectations, or stronger expectations, that their employer have this purpose or share their values,” he said. “I think that was also driving some of the resignations and mobility because people wanted to go somewhere that fit their values. They're vocal about it. We've seen some employee activism of sorts.”
WPSU’s “Digging Deeper” explores how work being done at the University impacts the broader community. Penn State senior Andrew Destin serves as co-host and rounds out each episode by asking Barron questions that are on the minds of students, faculty, staff and community members.
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