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In This Economy, Quitters Are Winning (wsj.com)

An anonymous reader shares a report: Workers are choosing to leave their jobs at the fastest rate since the internet boom 17 years ago and getting rewarded for it with bigger paychecks and/or more satisfying work. Labor Department data show that 3.4 million Americans quit their jobs in April, near a 2001 peak and twice the 1.7 million who were laid off from jobs in April. Job-hopping is happening across industries including retail, food service and construction, a sign of broad-based labor-market dynamism. Workers have been made more confident by a strong economy and historically low unemployment, at 3.8% in May, the lowest since 2000. Ms. Enoch started getting interview opportunities the same day she began sending out applications online. The trend could stoke broader wage growth and improve worker productivity, which have been sluggish in the past decade. Workers tend to get their biggest wage increases when they move from one job to another. Job-switchers saw roughly 30% larger annual pay increases in May than those who stayed put over the past 12 months, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

34 of 307 comments (clear)

  1. Not really news... by azrael29a · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, why is that surprising?
    American companies are known for exploiting their employees, treating them like shit, paying them as low as they can, and firing them as soon as they can. I, for a change, have job that I'm unlikely to leave any time soon. Why? Because they're paying me a very good salary, and they're treating me very well. They see the human part in their employees, unlike Americans who see their employees as disposable machines. I don't work in the USA, but I used to work for 2 American companies. Now I work for a Scandinavian company, and I love it.

    1. Re:Not really news... by Kjella · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Maybe you got lucky, but paying you very well is not the Scandinavian model. They pay everyone moderately well, try to make it a nice place to work and give you a good work-life balance and hope you don't throw it all away chasing a few more dollars. If you really want to maximize your salary you probably need to do some job hopping here too but it doesn't have nearly the same benefit, like the CEO is often paid 2-5x that of a regular employee and everyone else is somewhere in between.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    2. Re:Not really news... by Krishnoid · · Score: 4, Funny

      They pay everyone moderately well, try to make it a nice place to work and give you a good work-life balance and hope you don't throw it all away chasing a few more dollars.

      Maybe we should send over some troops to these shithole countries, to liberate what will most certainly be a grateful populace from this horrible socialist dystopia.

    3. Re:Not really news... by i286NiNJA · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You were rich enough to survive for a decade without income and then you launched a business.
      Fuck man that must have been hard, most of the military has it harder than this:

      No time off, no vacations, constant stress, constant pressure, no matter what you are feeling or how your health is doing, no matter what it does to your personal life (hint - there is no life, it is all just functioning, not living).

      and they make peanuts. Fuck man you lived the life of a single mom for a minute someone needs to give you a trophy!
      You're upset because you were born into opportunity and had to do the sorts of things any normal poor person puts up with when they launch their careers.

    4. Re:Not really news... by thesupraman · · Score: 2

      Because they are not, and are talking out their arse?
      If they were really making 100-500x the normal salary, they would:
      a) not be posting on slashdot
      b) actually realize that running a company and owning a company are very different things.

    5. Re:Not really news... by fish_in_the_c · · Score: 2

      As someone who ( living in the U.S.A) and having only worked for american companies. I'd say 'your mileage may very'. I' I've worked for some companies that are exactly as you described, and other that are not. However, I would say that if a company is large enough to have footprint overseas they are more likely to fit the category you describe. A lot of that has to do with the stock market. If a company is public, it is controlled by it's stockholder, many american companies are held primarily by funds as part of managed retirement programs. The funds manager care nothing for the company, little loan the employees, they care about the value of the stock going up , even if long term the decision are bad for the company, because they are looking at it is 1 line of thousands on a spreadsheet.Public companies are required to follow the directives of their stockholders.

      --
      âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
  2. Re:Fake news. Under Trump... by snapsnap · · Score: 3, Insightful

    So lower unemployment, lower taxes, and "30% larger annual pay increases" for people changing jobs is a bad thing?

  3. Another garbage piece from WSJ by AnthonywC · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Seriously 'Quitter'? These are just people changing jobs; never mind the ones that were laid off or fired. I guess it's too much in the eyes of WSJ to let the peons change their allegiance. I guess they'd prefer the slave workers to keep working until the same place until they die; without raise. Since this is 4th of July, I give a big FU to WSJ and hooray for some independence and dignity for the average worker.

  4. Welcone to the gig economy. by Rip!ey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    A job is something you stay at. Long term benefits traded for long term benefits on both sides, including protection.

    A gig is short term. A stepping stone. You don't stand for long on any individual stepping stone. Great upside in a rising economy, with a potential downside when the economy falters. There's still a trade of benefits. That part doesn't change.

    Both can be called careers. That's the personal development side. Beware however, employees and employers both. You reap what you sow.

    1. Re:Welcone to the gig economy. by Peter+P+Peters · · Score: 2

      A job is something you stay at.

      Isn't that called a Hotel?

  5. Re:Fake news. Under Trump... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Having income growth levels of 3.25% vs 2.5% (30% more) while the rich double and triple their income doesn't solve the problem.

    Our issue is not what any other country is taking from us and not what the government is taking from us. Those are just distractions thrown at us by the people getting rich off of the real issue.

    Our issue is the larger and larger piece of the pie going to the few while the lower income bracket has steadily grown since 1980ish. We are no longer the country of opportunity for all. Many others have higher percentage chances for people to move up from the income bracket they were born in than America today.

    We need a change that restores respect to real work. The hardest workers in America typically get paid the least, and that is not right. The growth in the service industry only exacerbates the problem. People don't respect those mowing the grass or changing their oil when they have never, even in their childhood, gotten off of their fat asses and mowed their own grass or changed their own oil.

    The most critical aspect of the days when America was allegedly great is that the typical upper-level executive in a company made about 300% more than the lowest worker on the factory floor - not 3,000% or more.

  6. It's not the economy. by cirby · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's you.

    Try not being you. It might help.

    1. Re:It's not the economy. by cirby · · Score: 2

      No, it's probably your personality, from the way you quickly went to cursing and blaming everyone else... but you.

    2. Re:It's not the economy. by SirSlud · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You should blame yourself for being tedious. Being skilled doesn't mean much if you're a tedious human being nobody wants to work with.

      --
      "Old man yells at systemd"
    3. Re:It's not the economy. by BronsCon · · Score: 2

      That, right there, is the attitude that scares the living shit out of HR managers who don't want to get sued. Since HR has to approve your hire, it's best not to scare them.

      --
      APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
    4. Re:It's not the economy. by Quzak · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Speaking as a HR manager myself. You are right that I would never hire you. Your attitude, language and self-entitlement speak volumes and frankly it is a book that nobody should ever read. I don't care what accomplishments you have, you are a liability waiting to happen. I will give you some advice. Firstly you need to learn some anger management. Also you need to learn to stop blaming others for the problems that you are causing to yourself. Next stop lashing out to people trying to help you, as we both know you will start attacking me once you read this, just like you attacked others in this thread. Finally, get off your high horse. While you accomplishments and skills are worthy of praise, your ego is way too much for anyone to have to deal with. I highly recommend that you seek psychological help.

      --
      Support your local school shooter, give them your firearms.
    5. Re:It's not the economy. by fish_in_the_c · · Score: 2

      interesting, I fit almost exactly that profile.I have never in my life spent more then 6 months out of work since college, even my longest stint was partially voluntary. Now, mind you, I've always been willing to move wherever the work was and work for whatever was median 'going wage' for my skill set even if it meant taking a pay cut. I also don't hold myself is such high esteem as to think I'm better then any else or somehow 'deserve' something. ( not saying you do , but one could imply it from your writing, just saying an attitude of thankfulness and cheerfully rolling up your sleeves goes a long way in most work places). I know exactly the type of interviews you're talking about, I've been to something like 20 of them. (I've also held positions and 7 different companies in my 20 year career.

      My advise would be, if you are having trouble finding work. First , post your updated resume on every job board you can, apply for everything it looks like you could do. Updating your resume gets the headhunters excited. Find 10 listed positions you like. Tell everyone you are looking for a salary that is in the middle of that and you will move anywhere go get it, although it would be good a bonus if they can help with moving expensiveness. Do be realistic about what you need.

      Also, take some time to develop the skill of interviewing. Understand before each interview, what the company does, ask questions like. If I start working for you tomorrow, how would you expect my skillet to be most helpful? Show up 'slightly' better dressed then you expect your interviewers to be. If the place is 'business casual' show up in a suit and tie. If they place is jeans and t-shirts, show up in business casual.
      Weather or not we like it, all the nuances of human communication are about 45% of being and effective programmer/ developer so you are being tested and interviewed for that as soon as you walk through the door, because an employee is of no value to a manger if they can not able to communicate with one another what needs to be done, when and how.

      --
      âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
  7. Healthcare by rsilvergun · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I know dozens of people stuck at dead end jobs because they can't go 90-180 days w/o health care. Only the top tier stuff has day 1 health care. This is one of the big reasons I want single payer in America (besides that it saves $17 trillion over the next 10 years. Seriously, we could pay off the National Debt in my lifetime). Wanna see wages go up across the board? Give everyone healthcare so they can demand higher wages. Rising tide/all boats and all that.

    --
    Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
    1. Re:Healthcare by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      As one of the millions with no medical, I'd love to have VA. My preference though is not to have single payer insurance. Instead, ban insurance or at least force equal pricing for all customers. I will then be able to pay the prices without a problem. Insurance is the root of the problem.

    2. Re:Healthcare by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Having it experienced Single Payer in Japan for 14 years, I would completely agree. It makes people not tied to their employers and provides more incentives to people starting their own ventures.

    3. Re:Healthcare by Peter+P+Peters · · Score: 2

      I live in Canada and I call bullshit on your assertion. Universal healthcare is great, but not free. We pay close to 50% income taxes.

      I don't live in Canada and I call bullshit on your assertion
      This tells me that a top 10% income is about $80k, and a top 1% income is about $190k
      This tells me that income tax on $80k is around 25-30% depending on state, and on $190k it's 34-40%.
      If you're paying close to 50% income tax, you already have a good salary so shouldn't complain too much.

    4. Re:Healthcare by q_e_t · · Score: 2

      Waiting 6 months for operation when it is critical to be done right now?

      I live in the UK. My wife recently needed an urgent operation. She waited two days.

  8. All bosses are the same ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    American companies are known for exploiting their employees, treating them like shit

    In Japan, many Japanese workers work to death.

    Same thing happens in Korea, Taiwan and China.

    In Bangladesh, workers are routinely locked inside the building they work in and many had been burned to death when fire broke out.

    In India, employers have been known to beat their workers to death.

    If you are thinking that only American companies treating their employees like shit, please wake the fuck up and smell the coffee.

    All companies are alike. To the bosses, their workers are slaves , to be worked to death, without pity.

  9. Re: Fake news. Under Trump... by BronsCon · · Score: 2

    Now you sound like one of those 1%ers.

    --
    APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
  10. Re:Fake news. Under Trump... by VeryFluffyBunny · · Score: 2

    Yep, when you're at the bottom of a hole, the only way is up. BTW, are we talking quitting a job at McDonald's to get a job at Starbucks because after working at McDonald's you now have service experience?

    --
    Debate is a form of harassment. Do not question my truth.
  11. Re:The US economy's doing just fine by turbidostato · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Sounds good, who's going first?"

    Yes.

    And what's on second, I don't know's on third.

  12. Re: Fake news. Under Trump... by TJHook3r · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Agreed. Having any job used to be respected but gradually some sort of expectation inflation crept in.... maybe it's the push to get more people into further education ? Or the shallow materialism that permeates our culture?

  13. Re: Fake news. Under Trump... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I have bled brakes, changed oil, changed head gaskets, moved a lawn, planted and picked strawberries, raspberries, bunch of other fruits and veggies, prepared jams, marmalade and compotes. Made (and still make) my own cheese, yogurt, soap.
    I know exactly the time and effort involved in these jobs - it is practically none. Why do you expect me to respect someone who takes 3 times as much time as needed, who does subpar job that I later have to redo? I don't complain because if the management doesn't see a problem with the quality of the work of their staff, that means management is incompetent and nothing good will come of it. I've found through trial and error good mechanics that let me inspect their work before they hand the keys back to me, or let me spend time with them in the shop. And surprisingly they charge much less that the other guys who don't know what they are doing.

  14. Leaving today by physburn · · Score: 2

    Today is my last day at my current job. Starting monday a new one, with 10% more salary, 9 to 5 hours instead of 9 to 6, and 4 stop commute instead of 17 on the underground. Shop around for jobs every couple of years, it can be very profitable and improve you life greatly.

  15. Re:Fake news. Under Trump... by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The economy is actually quite strong. And it was strong for the past 6 years.
    However policy is still treating it like it is in a recession and not investing into safety nets for when it drops again.
    Also we are starting trade wars for no real good reason. Which the countries are responding in a more targeted attack that may not hurt the entire economy as much but the states that unwisely voted for trump.
    Any country cannot fight off the entire US economy, but they can hit particular states rather hard.
    They know targeting the Tech sector will mostly effect people who mostly voted for Clinton. But agriculture, Automotive... that will get the area which would hurt the idiot who started the trade war in the first place.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  16. Re:What's a pay rise? by lgw · · Score: 3, Informative

    Also, not even a very desirable applicant is going to get same-day interviews. One would be lucky if their application/resume is reviewed from an online submission.

    When I put my resume up on Indeed a month or so ago, I got multiple contacts within 24 hours, including cold calls from recruiters who somehow had my telephone number. I had a couple initial calls with hiring companies set up next day. Sure, no one is going to get an interview the same day, but it's at least possible they might get an interview arranged.

    But as soon as you say "online submission" all is lost. I've never known anyone who got a call back from submitting their resume through a company web site. Perhaps it has happened somewhere in the world, but it must be quite rare. If your resume isn't attractive enough that recruiters reach out to you, that sucks. At least get some help prettying up your resume, and you may need to consider moving to where your job is hot. ("You" the generic Slashdot reader, not Mitreya specifically).

    --
    Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
  17. Online resume submission by sjbe · · Score: 4, Informative

    When I put my resume up on Indeed a month or so ago, I got multiple contacts within 24 hours, including cold calls from recruiters who somehow had my telephone number.

    That is great but that sort of response isn't the norm. In my line of work (manufacturing operations) such a vigorous response would be almost unheard of no matter how attractive your resume. I think this speaks more to industry and company culture than anything else but just posting your resume will rarely land you interviews that easily in my industry. Your mileage may vary of course. In my wife's line of work she gets calls out of the blue all the time because there simply aren't a lot of people who do what she does.

    But as soon as you say "online submission" all is lost. I've never known anyone who got a call back from submitting their resume through a company web site. Perhaps it has happened somewhere in the world, but it must be quite rare.

    There is a reason for that. It's because the HR folks get absolute bombarded with resumes so the odds you you actually getting a response unless you are EXACTLY what they are looking for is a good approximation of zero if the company has any size to it at all. Big companies are doing keyword searches and throwing out 99% of the resumes they actually do read. Chances are you'll get at most 30-60 seconds of consideration if you are lucky and the odds of a response are ridiculously low. Those systems are set up to weed out resumes and ward off lawsuits than they are to actually setting up interviews. You are quite right that getting a response that way will be quite unusual.

    If your resume isn't attractive enough that recruiters reach out to you, that sucks.

    The vast majority of people fall into that category.

    At least get some help prettying up your resume, and you may need to consider moving to where your job is hot.

    Sometimes it doesn't matter how "pretty" your resume is. And people often cannot move for a variety of good reasons.

  18. Re: Fake news. Under Trump... by fish_in_the_c · · Score: 2

    This is the sentiment of a typical bigot. A bigot is someone who takes a whole category of people as a blanket statement and judges them unworthy.
    There are some wealthy people who fall squarely into your category, there are some who very much earned every penny they have honestly and there is a whole range in between like. Inherited some wealth then used it. Do you really think every singer songwriter out there who becomes a mega star is a thief?
    What about the person who wins the lottery then invest wisely, did they steal anything?

    I have know both poor people who were bigoted against the wealthy and wealthy bigoted against poor, but honestly there are a lot of good people who fit both categories. This type of 'class warfare' is nothing but counter productive.

    A better way to approach wealth discrepancy is to look for laws that 'even the playing field' for those who are underprivileged.
    How about instead of a typical minimum wage, there is a law that requires some kind of profit , ( and risk ) sharing with employees.
    Not that I actually advantage this specifically , but consider some of the interesting effects it would have if we simply outlawed paying people a wage and instead required each persons compensation to be tied to the previous quarters profits / income of the company. I'm not saying that is a real solution, but with some creative work, there is a real place for a win / win for both labor and owners in an arrangement like that. Labor should earn higher income, and feel more invested, owners get to share the risk because if sales tank they aren't still stuck with a labor bill. Of coarse there would have to be a lot more too it then that, like something that involved some decision making mechanism, but there are better ways to solve the problem then scream.
        The rich are thieves and the poor are lazy welfare leaches.

    --
    âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
  19. Re: Fake news. Under Trump... by war4peace · · Score: 2

    Do you really think every singer songwriter out there who becomes a mega star is a thief?

    Pretty much, for the last 15 years at least.

    --
    ...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)