 WED, JUN 23, 2021 
Forget a return to long commutes and slogging through burnout — many workers would rather quit. In fact, nearly 4 million people did so in April, according to the Labor Department. As other publications have reported, this is something of a once-in-a-lifetime moment in the labor market. Businesses are reopening and hiring like crazy to meet increased demand post-Covid-19, but there are fewer workers, in part because of lingering restrictions from the pandemic, like access to child care. In fact, April saw a record 9.3 million job openings, giving some workers "the upper hand to negotiate for higher pay, more consistent hours or better accommodations," my colleague Jennifer Liu reported. In a reverse from the past year-plus, this is especially true in lower-wage sectors like hospitality and leisure, where even marginally better pay is reason enough to switch jobs. With more jobs than job seekers, workers can be more selective and search for those better opportunities. Labor market conditions alone don't tell the full story of why a record number of people are quitting. The pandemic has caused many people to look inward and reflect on what really matters to them. An unfulfilling job may no longer make the cut. Others were able to save during the crisis, and are prepared to use their cash cushion for some time off. Still others would rather look for new work than go back to the office full time, or need to earn more to make up for a spouse who is still unemployed. With so many different factors at play, I'm curious: Are you considering quitting your job? Has the pandemic changed how you view and approach your work? Email me your thoughts at alicia.adamczyk@nbcuni.com. I'd love to hear from you.
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