Thinking of joining the big quit?

The “Big Resignation” is the predicted seismic shift in the Australian workforce. In the light of the pandemic, people are re-thinking their careers or deeply questioning the role of work in their lives. Whether we are thinking of joining the Big Quit or not, we have the opportunity to reframe fulfilment.

The Big Quit

I was talking to my brother recently. He’s a Fly-In, Fly-Out worker in Western Australia. He’s decided to reduce his shifts by half. He said to me: “Life is short. I may as well spend more time doing what I enjoy”. Our mother’s death earlier in the year precipitated this.

For other people, it’s the pandemic. In the US, the number of people who voluntarily left their roles, from frontline workers to senior executives, runs into the millions. Experts are expecting a similar seismic shift in Australia from March 2022.

Why the Big Quit

In light of the pandemic, people are re-thinking their careers or deeply questioning the role of work in their lives. According to the experts, what’s driving this upheaval is:

The balance of power is shifting from employers to employees. Says one expert: "Today, employees don't want to be seen as workers. They want to be seen as complex human beings with rich, full lives. They're not just interested in the experience they can have at work, they're interested in what an employer does to enrich their life experience." Employees are now less likely to tolerate an employer who can’t or won’t deliver.

Career “downsizing”. People are choosing to move away from ambition and emphasis other aspects of life and making career choices around values, health and family. Says one worker considering the Big Quit: “Why do we work so hard for things that are non-essential? And at what cost? How much is enough?”

Thinking of joining the Big Quit?

If you’re thinking of reshaping your career, the advice of experts is:

1. Start small. Think of it as baby steps towards the change you want, rather than a big leap in a new direction. A big change is much more attainable if approached slowly over time.

2. Tweak your current job or responsibilities. So that it better suits the life you want.

3. If you do decide to quit, put yourself in the right position first. Learn as much as you can, meeting people in the industry and update your skills if you need to.

The opportunity and the challenge

The pandemic is an opportunity to reshape our careers and navigate towards something that makes us feel more fulfilled.

This is not necessarily easy or straightforward. I know for me personally, fulfilment in my career has come at times by finding me, rather than me searching for it. It was the gift of a particular set of circumstances. Circumstances that then unfortunately changed for some reason.

Jesus says: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” [John 6:35]

That’s an image of fulfilment, if ever there was one! Jesus says you find it in a person “I am the bread of life”, and it’s given in relationship “come to me and never be hungry or thirsty”.

As a follower of Jesus, that’s been my experience. Many days “at the office” are rich and rewarding. Other days are tedious and tiresome. Whether it’s a fulfilling day or a frustrating day, I know what gives me Fulfilment (capital F) is tied up in relationship with Jesus. With him I have identity, purpose, freedom and joy. On a frustrating day, Fulfilment gives me comfort. It helps me to reframe my thinking. On other days I can be thankful for the fulfilment and the Fulfilment.

The “Big Resignation” is the predicted seismic shift in the Australian workforce. In the light of the pandemic, people are re-thinking their careers or deeply questioning the role of work in their lives. Whether we are thinking of joining the Big Quit or not, we have the opportunity to reframe fulfilment.