Nearly one-third of workers plan to quit by year-end — Resume Builder survey

CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES — A recent Resume Builder survey reveals that nearly three in 10 full-time workers are planning to quit their jobs by the end of 2024, potentially signaling “Great Resignation 2.0.”
The study, which was conducted online by Pollfish, surveyed 1,000 full-time workers.
Younger workers lead mass resignations
The survey findings, revealed on July 10, indicate that younger generations are more likely to consider leaving their current positions.
Among 18 to 24-year-olds, 37% reported being ‘somewhat’ or ‘highly likely’ to quit their jobs this year, with 35% of 25 to 34-year-olds expressing similar intentions.
”Younger workers tend to switch jobs at a higher rate because they are trying to determine what type of function, industry, and environment would work best for them,” explains Julia Toothacre, resume and career strategist at Resume Builder.
“Along with that, you can increase your salary quicker when you change jobs every few years, and those early career years are the best time to do that.”
Factors driving resignations
Low pay emerges as the primary driver for potential job changes, with 56% of respondents citing it as a reason for considering quitting.
Other significant factors include desire for better benefits (44%) and overly-stressful work (43%).
Interestingly, 1 in 10 workers planning to quit are willing to do so without having another job lined up, highlighting the level of dissatisfaction some employees are experiencing.
Work modality mismatch
About 35% of respondents expressed a preference for a different work setup, with a notable number of fully in-person workers desiring hybrid (25%) or fully remote (15%) arrangements.
Toothacre comments on this trend: “Employers will offer remote/hybrid positions and options when it becomes difficult to find candidates. This is an employer market, which is why you’re seeing so many RTO mandates.”
Industries at risk
The service/hospitality industry appears most vulnerable to this wave of resignations, with 35% of its workers indicating plans to leave.
The tech and finance sectors follow closely, each with 34% of respondents considering a job change in 2024.
As the job market continues to evolve, employers may need to reassess their strategies to retain talent and address the changing preferences of the workforce.
The potential for a ‘Great Resignation 2.0’ serves as a reminder of the ongoing shifts in employee expectations and the importance of adaptability in the modern workplace.