Though 2021 saw record levels of workers quitting their jobs, 2022 shows no signs of a slowdown. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), by the end of February 2022, 4.4 million people quit their jobs—a number that’s holding steady for the first part of the year.
And while now has never been a better time to be a job seeker, that’s usually not reason enough to quit a job. While things like pay, benefits, and work-life balance are common reasons for quitting, a recent FlexJobs survey found some surprising reasons why people quit their jobs.
The What and the Why of the Great Resignation
To better understand what’s motivating people to quit, FlexJobs surveyed 2,202 people between February 23, 2022, and March 7, 2022. We asked them why they wanted to quit their jobs and how they planned to do it.
Overall, 30% of respondents said they are currently considering quitting, while 25% quit their job in the last six months. Of those who had recently quit, 68% did so without having another job lined up. Many of these people are using side jobs and dipping into emergency savings to make ends meet until they find another job.
Company Culture Matters Most
The number one reason people quit their job was a toxic company culture (62%). This was closely followed by low salary (59%), poor management (56%), and a lack of healthy work-life balance (49%).
Other reasons people quit include:
- No remote work options (43%)
- Burnout (42%)
- Not allowing flexible schedules (41%)
- Limited advancement opportunities or career progression (37%)
- Lack of or poor benefits (i.e., not offering health insurance or 401(k) benefits) (31%)
- Limited PTO or sick time (27%)
- Poor mental health support (22%)
- Long-term job stability (21%)
- Amount of travel required (19%)
- Not having diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in place (19%)
- Lack of connection to the company’s mission (18%)
- Concerns over COVID-19 vaccine requirements (17%)
Though a toxic culture is the biggest reason people leave their jobs, it’s not the only reason people quit. These responses show that people want to work for companies with inclusive cultures no matter where they live or whether they work in-person, hybrid, or remote.
How People Quit
In addition to understanding the reasons why people are quitting their jobs, we also wanted to know how they quit them.
First, we learned that rage-quitting a job remains rare. While 15% of respondents have felt very tempted to rage-quit, only 4% actually did. Another 14% say they know someone else who has rage-quit a job, and a surprising 10% say they rage-quit a job in the past (in 2020 or earlier)!
We also found that a majority of people are changing careers. Of those hoping to find a new job in the next three to six months, more than half (57%) are looking for work in a different career field. Interestingly, over three-quarters of respondents (79%) said they are currently trying to change careers or already successfully changed careers.
And finally, when people do find a new job, the majority (61%) think two weeks’ notice is the right amount of time to give their boss. However, 22% think it should be one month, while 11% say less than two weeks’ notice is acceptable. The remaining 7% weren’t sure how much notice to give.
How to Quit Your Job
If you’re thinking about quitting your job, here’s how to do it without burning any bridges.
- Make a plan: Think through what you want to say, so you speak with confidence and clarity.
- Tell your boss first: As much as you might want to tell everyone else about your new job first, the professional thing to do is tell your boss first.
- Timing is everything: Pick a time when your boss isn’t busy and can focus on what you’re saying.
- Be prepared: Though you may give your company two or more weeks’ notice, they may ask you to stop working immediately.
- Offer to help: If you can swing it, offer to train your replacement while you’re still there, or even after you leave.
- Keep it up: Continue performing to the best of your abilities during your notice period.
- Attend the exit interview: Participate in the exit interview to help your company understand why you’re leaving, but take care not to trash-talk anyone on your way out the door.
On the Way Out
Our survey results show that one out of three people is seriously considering quitting their job. And if you’re one of them, FlexJobs is here to help. Whether you’re changing careers, staying in the same field, or can’t decide, a FlexJobs career coach can help you figure things out.
Meet with one of our in-house experts to get feedback on your resume, practice your interview answers, or figure out the next steps in your career. Schedule your appointment today.