In what has been dubbed the Great Resignation, Americans have been quitting their jobs in record numbers in recent months – a trend that shows no signs of slowing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4.5 million Americans quit their job in March 2022, the most ever recorded in a single month, and up from 4.4 million quits in February.
Among all fifty states, Florida saw the third highest percentage of people quitting their job compared with the total state workforce.
Explanations for the high quit rates vary. A recent survey from Pew Research Center found that low pay, limited opportunities for advancement, and a lack of flexibility are among the most common reasons.
Whatever the explanation, the consequences are clear. Record-high quits are exacerbating a labor shortage in the United States and creating an existential crisis for many small businesses, and quit rates vary considerably among states.
According to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 404,000 people in Florida quit their jobs in March, the most recent month of available data – a 70.5% increase from one year earlier.
The total number of monthly quits in the state accounts for 4.4% of the total workforce, higher than the 3.0% share of workers nationwide who quit their jobs in March.
Though there are some notable exceptions, states with lower unemployment rates often have higher quit rates. Since quits do not include workers who retired, each of the 4.5 million Americans who quit in March will presumably take another job. A stronger job market, therefore, may incentivize workers to look for better opportunities, while workers in states with weaker job markers may be deterred. The March jobless rate in Florida stood at 3.2%, compared to the national unemployment rate of 3.6%.
| Rank | State | March 2022 quits as share of workforce (%) | Total quits in March 2022 (000) | March 2022 unemployment rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 5.1 | 16 | 5.0 |
| 2 | Arizona | 4.5 | 137 | 3.3 |
| 3 | Florida | 4.4 | 404 | 3.2 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 4.2 | 12 | 3.4 |
| 5 | South Carolina | 4.1 | 90 | 3.4 |
| 6 | Utah | 3.8 | 62 | 2.0 |
| 7 | Montana | 3.8 | 19 | 2.3 |
| 8 | Georgia | 3.7 | 177 | 3.1 |
| 9 | Idaho | 3.7 | 30 | 2.7 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 3.6 | 168 | 3.5 |
| 11 | Colorado | 3.5 | 100 | 3.7 |
| 12 | Alabama | 3.5 | 73 | 2.9 |
| 13 | Louisiana | 3.5 | 66 | 4.2 |
| 14 | Nevada | 3.5 | 50 | 5.0 |
| 15 | Mississippi | 3.5 | 41 | 4.2 |
| 16 | West Virginia | 3.4 | 24 | 3.7 |
| 17 | Indiana | 3.3 | 104 | 2.2 |
| 18 | Kentucky | 3.3 | 63 | 4.0 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | 3.3 | 55 | 2.7 |
| 20 | Delaware | 3.3 | 15 | 4.5 |
| 21 | Arkansas | 3.2 | 42 | 3.1 |
| 22 | New Mexico | 3.2 | 27 | 5.3 |
| 23 | Hawaii | 3.2 | 19 | 4.1 |
| 24 | Texas | 3.1 | 411 | 4.4 |
| 25 | Tennessee | 3.1 | 100 | 3.2 |
| 26 | Washington | 3.0 | 104 | 4.2 |
| 27 | Oregon | 3.0 | 59 | 3.8 |
| 28 | Vermont | 3.0 | 9 | 2.7 |
| 29 | Nebraska | 2.9 | 30 | 2.0 |
| 30 | South Dakota | 2.9 | 13 | 2.5 |
| 31 | California | 2.8 | 486 | 4.9 |
| 32 | Illinois | 2.8 | 167 | 4.7 |
| 33 | Ohio | 2.7 | 150 | 4.1 |
| 34 | Michigan | 2.7 | 117 | 4.4 |
| 35 | Virginia | 2.7 | 108 | 3.0 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | 2.7 | 79 | 2.8 |
| 37 | New Jersey | 2.6 | 107 | 4.2 |
| 38 | Minnesota | 2.6 | 74 | 2.5 |
| 39 | Maryland | 2.6 | 70 | 4.6 |
| 40 | Iowa | 2.6 | 40 | 3.3 |
| 41 | Kansas | 2.6 | 36 | 2.5 |
| 42 | New Hampshire | 2.6 | 18 | 2.5 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | 2.6 | 13 | 3.4 |
| 44 | North Dakota | 2.6 | 11 | 2.9 |
| 45 | Missouri | 2.5 | 74 | 3.6 |
| 46 | Maine | 2.5 | 16 | 3.6 |
| 47 | Pennsylvania | 2.3 | 136 | 4.9 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | 2.2 | 79 | 4.3 |
| 49 | Connecticut | 2.2 | 36 | 4.6 |
| 50 | New York | 2.0 | 185 | 4.6 |
And your point is lost on me. Quit rate?
The interesting thing about facts is they can be shown to present a position be it factual or manipulated. I think the pew research should have shown more of the “why” such as did you get a job working remotely, start your own business, did you recently graduate with a certification or degree to improve your future choices in the workforce market. These are just a few details that would explain quality of improvement rather than lack of options shown in the pew research you quote. This information would be very valuable because a job is what you do until you establish your career. A career brings better pay, benefits, and upward mobility opportunities.
My wife and I were a two paycheck family for four decades. And we needed both! How are people able to just quit? Government assistance?
Florida has a low unemployment rate which means that those who will work are quitting lower paying jobs for higher paying jobs. As the cost-of-living increases employers are going to have to increase the pay and benefits, they provide their employees or face the reality that they are losing workers once they are trained and experienced. Beware of the employer who hires the illegal immigrant!
People leave their jobs for very different reasons, in life it is very important to find yourself and your vocation in time, so you should not linger on a vacancy that no longer brings you joy. Start your job search by writing a quality resume, and here https://www.gotresumebuilder.com/faq/how-do-i-discuss-a-short-term-job-on-my-resume you will find valuable tips for this