The End of the Great Resignation
According to labor economists, the trend of the “great resignation,” characterized by a significant increase in Americans leaving their jobs, is gradually fading away. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report reveals a decline in the quits rate to 2.4% in April, down from its peak of 3% in April 2022. This decline brings the quits rate back to the pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019, indicating a return to normalcy in the labor market. The U.S. labor market has gradually cooled in recent months, with staffing shortages becoming less of a concern. Workers, in turn, have grown more cautious about the job outlook, leading to a decline in the quitting rate. The April data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that job openings increased to 10.1 million after three consecutive months of decline, suggesting ongoing worker demand.
Economists point out that while job openings and quits may tell different stories, the latter is generally a more reliable indicator of labor market trends. Although conditions remain favorable for job seekers, economic uncertainty persists. The Federal Reserve has projected a mild recession later this year, although the outcome is not guaranteed. Consequently, workers are advised to conduct thorough research before accepting job offers, including assessing the financial stability of potential employers and seeking insights from their professional networks. Additionally, job seekers need to be cautious of fraudulent job advertisements. The Federal Trade Commission recently issued an alert about scammers repurposing outdated ads from legitimate employers to deceive applicants into sending money. As the great resignation era ends, the labor market is gradually returning to normal. While the power dynamics may have shifted, job seekers can still take advantage of favorable conditions. What do you think about the current situation? And are you looking for a job?
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I am not a financial advisor and my comments should never be taken as financial advice. Investments come with risk, so always do your research and analysis beforehand.
