The Great Resignation was the pandemic-era phenomenon of workers leaving for better jobs or jobs that held more meaning. Now, there are signs that this period has reached closing time. "CBS Evening News" co-anchor John Dickerson explains.
Reporter's Notebook: The End of the Great Resignation? The air in the HR departments across the country feels… different. A year ago, it crackled with the nervous energy of mass resignations, the constant hum of exit interviews, and the frantic scramble to fill gaping holes in staffing. Now, a quieter tension prevails. Is the Great Resignation finally over? The answer, as with most things in the economy, is nuanced. My reporting this week took me from bustling tech hubs still grappling with attrition to smaller businesses in rural areas struggling to find any employees. The narrative seems to be shifting, but not uniformly. In Silicon Valley, layoffs have certainly chilled the fervor of the quitters. The once-ubiquitous "quiet quitting" seems to have been replaced by a more cautious, "quiet clinging." Tech workers, once flush with offers and empowered to demand better working conditions, are now more hesitant to jump ship in an uncertain market. The conversations I had with recruiters painted a picture of a slower, more deliberate hiring process, with a greater focus on candidates with demonstrably proven skills and longer tenure at previous companies. Gone are the days of bidding wars and extravagant signing bonuses. However, the story isn't solely about the tech industry. My conversations with restaurant owners in smaller towns revealed a different, yet equally compelling perspective. The labor shortage continues to be a major hurdle. While the headline-grabbing mass resignations may have slowed, these businesses still struggle to find and retain employees. The challenges here are less about high-paying tech jobs and more about competitive wages, affordable childcare, and the overall appeal of living in these communities. The "Great Resignation" here hasn't ended; it's just mutated into a stubborn, persistent labor deficit. The healthcare sector, meanwhile, remains a battleground. Burnout, exacerbated by the pandemic, continues to fuel departures, while the demand for qualified professionals remains high. Nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers continue to reassess their work-life balance and their compensation, creating a constant churn that doesn't seem to be abating. So, is the Great Resignation over? The data is mixed. Job openings have decreased, but unemployment remains relatively low. The narrative isn't about a sudden cessation, but rather a significant slowdown and a shift in the dynamics of the labor market. What we're seeing is a recalibration, not an end. The employees who left during the height of the Great Resignation may not be returning en masse, but the workforce is still adapting and redefining its relationship with work. This isn't just about wages and benefits; it's about purpose, flexibility, and work-life integration. The story, it seems, is far from over.
