It was my son’s first day of Kindy, and the tears were flowing—his and almost mine.
“Does he like Paw Patrol?” the teacher asked gently.
“Loves it,” I said.
With that simple trick, she helped him settle into a brand new environment. And as I walked away, it struck me: adults are going through the same thing.
I won’t lie. It was hard not to get teary myself. But today marks the start of the major transition for my child – the start of big school.
What Is the Great Reshuffle?
And just as my kid is acclimatising to his new environment, so are the millions of American’s who have quit their jobs at record rates.
The great “reshuffle” has been gaining momentum since the start of 2021.
Has It Reached Australia?
Short answer? No.
The last time we had a high job mobility rate was in the late ’80s, where we peaked at 20% in 1989.
The last report from the ABS at the end of February 2021 showed 7.5% of employed people changed jobs, the lowest annual job mobility rate on record.
If the trend had changed significantly across 2021, I’m sure it would have been recorded and reported by now.
Who’s Quitting — and Why?
In 2021, 33% of the workforce in the US quit. The last time it was this high for the states was 1945.
The top 3 industries with the highest quit rates are:
- Leisure & hospitality
- Professional & business services
- Trade, transport & utilities
The age group with the highest quit rate are between 20-25
The top 3 reasons for leaving were:
- Low salary
- Limited career opportunities
- Not being valued by my manager
None of this surprises me given the issues across these industries.
What About Australia’s Workforce?
Back on home soil, of the 7.5% who did quit in 2021, the biggest group were professionals — think accountants, marketers, finance, sales, C-suite, lawyers.
Most stayed within the same field… except salespeople, who apparently decided the grass was greener elsewhere and switched occupations entirely.
Are You Thinking About Making a Move?
So, I’m curious — are you considering becoming part of the great resignation or reshuffle movement this year?
If you’re weighing up your next step but want honest, no-fluff guidance, my membership gives you access to tools, strategy, and support that cuts through the noise.
~Lisa
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