More and more people are quitting their jobs. So many, in fact, there is a name for it: Quit Culture. It begs the question: Why are hundreds of thousands able-bodied Americans leaving their positions, and in the process, causing our economy to feel the pinch?

It’s not solely because people are unhappy with their work, or unfulfilled. The reasons why people are quitting their jobs are rather astounding.

Here are some facts about the ever-increasing rise of the Quit Culture:

What is Quit Culture?


Quit culture is a phenomenon spawned by the demand for a more humane professional experience. People are no longer happy getting the bare minimum for putting forth their maximum effort.

During the Covid and post-Covid pandemic years, millions of people resigned from their jobs —a period known as The Great Resignation. This was due largely to people discovering life had more to offer than just showing up for a paycheck. As many Americans witnessed the death and sickness of loved ones and friends, people began to search for more meaning in their life, a higher purpose if you will. The lack of purpose, coupled with seeking a better work/life balance and being treated fairly, caused millions of Americans to rethink their jobs and seek more meaningful work that fulfills their needs and expectations. Interestingly, this mindset continues today as employers are forced to bid on “the best and brightest” talent available and pay premium wages for that talent . Thus, the Quit Culture was born. This is especially prevalent among the 25-40 year old’s who have little or no loyalty to companies that offer low starting wages, little training and limited advancement opportunities.

This movement showcases the need for workers to enjoy what they are doing and exist in a comfortable, motivating, and rewarding environment. No longer are people interested in the 9-to-5 just to pay bills. Many are now reevaluating the role of work in their lives.

Top Reasons No One Wants To Work Anymore

Let’s be clear. People are not quitting their jobs simply because they do not feel like working. In fact, just the opposite is true. Most Millennials and Gen Z’ers need a job to pay their bills. This phenomenon goes much deeper than the superficial issues of a happy workplace, good pay, and respect from their bosses.

Here are the top reasons so many Americans don’t want to work anymore:

Burnout is Real

Burnout refers to looming stress at work and feeling exhausted. Over 64% of employees in a recent national survey reported that they felt overworked, underpaid, and simply exhausted. That translates to burnout.

Whether it be late-night emails, never getting to take an real day off, or having more work piled on with no extra pay or compensation, the burnout is real. Employees are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, and this is a major reason why so many employees are using up their sick leave and absenteeism is reaching record highs. Of course, the flip side of the coin is how do business owners and managers reduce burnout when profit margins are razor thin, most departments are under-staffed, and shareholders are demanding a higher ROI? It’s truly a double-edged sword.

Dissatisfaction with Work

Another troubling trend is the number of employees who engage is only doing enough to get by and keep their jobs. This is truly an issue in the service and hospitality sectors because large businesses cannot afford to fight the unions or terminate employees who are reliable, but don’t put forth much of an effort. It’s very costly to replace even a underperforming employee. In an era when customers want better service and a higher standard of quality and reliability in the products they purchase, it’s unfortunate to encounter so many employees who only put forth the minimal effort, let alone, go above-and-beyond for their customers.

A reliable study revealed that only 30% of employees actually feel engaged at work. Disengagement costs not only the business money but also runs the risk of losing essential workers. We strongly encourage employers to find creative ways to keep their employees engaged and involved because too many workers are clearly not feeling a sense of purpose or recognition in the workplace. The end result is a dissatisfied employee will eventually quit and end up working for your competition.

Disrespectful Bosses

It should come as no surprise to learn that most employees – some 59% — do not quit horrible jobs. They quit disrespectful bosses. Even if an employee likes their position, they will regrettably quit should the boss be unbearable. This includes disrespect, all forms of sexual harassment, angry outbursts, and putting one’s foot in his/her mouth with a crude or offensive comments. While no one is perfect, the boss who habitually abuses or disrespects his/her employees should either be disciplined or terminated because the cost of replacing several good employees is too high. This is why an under-performing sports team fires the manager and not the players! Same scenario in the workplace. Another study revealed that 42% of employee resignations were due to toxic leadership and poor managers who used many of the negative tactics noted above. Frankly, those tactics just don’t work with the 18-35 year olds. They want to be nurtured, taught, and rewarded for their work, not abused.

Mental health can decline in a toxic or hostile work environment. Bad bosses contribute to an unhealthy atmosphere. At some point, workers will say, “Enough is enough”, and head out the door with little or no notice. If a number of valued employees are quitting in your workplace, we recommend you have a serious sit-down with your managers to find out the real cause for these departures. We also recommend you have an exit interview with employees who quit so you get both sides of the story. Be sure to dig deep for the real answers because very few employees are going to volunteer information on how horrible their boss treated them.

Dead-end Jobs with No Opportunity for Advancement

Workers stuck in a dead-end job who think they have no future will eventually quit. LinkedIn conducted a survey that showed 43% of employees cited the lack of career development and limited advancement as their reason for leaving.

If employers are not willing to offer and assist in career development and the future of their employees, workers are more likely to quit. It’s part of our human DNA to want to grow and improve. People need to feel they have a future – even short-term — where they work. Without it, they’re as good as gone.

Toxic Workplace Culture

If the culture at work is collapsing, so is the motivation of the workers. Employees deserve and need a healthy workplace culture. The success of the employees and the business depends on it!
As workplace standards decline, retention rates will also decline. Without a motivating, healthy, and inviting company culture, the employees will not feel cared for. Nor will they feel they are a part of a cohesive team. Loyalty will suffer and resignations will eventually follow.

Paychecks and Inflation

As inflation continues to rise, paychecks need to be adjusted upwards. The dollar no longer goes as far as it used to, and your employees are feeling squeezed.

Being underpaid or not receiving salary increases are two major reasons people quit their jobs. Without an increase in pay to offset the rising cost of living, employees are forced to either make financial sacrifices or seek a more profitable job. Employees are more confident in standing their ground these days as they know their worth and expect to be paid fairly.

Work/life Balance

During the pandemic, the underbelly of Corporate America was revealed: Yes, millions can work from home and do an excellent job. When employees were given a work/life balance, they grabbed it and getting them back in the office for eight hours is a difficult challenge for many corporations.

Although a growing number of employers are mandating that their employees come back to the workplace, many employees are not budging. Now that they’ve had a taste of a healthy work/life balance, they are not interested in giving that up. Many employees have resisted the “9-to-5” mandate and quit. They’ve opted for full-time remote work, enjoying being able to work from home and live life on their terms while still being highly productive and exceeding their boss’s expectations.

Millennials and Gen Z have Different Ideas about Work

Millennials and Gen Z have wildly different ideas of what work is supposed to look like. Gone are the days of the grueling 9-to-5 in a static, cold office where there are strict rules and regimens. The younger generations simply don’t buy into the old work rules.

These two generations are changing the world. Pew Research Center conducted a study that revealed that younger workers are “more likely to prioritize flexibility, mental health support, and workplace values.” Gen Z sees jobs as stepping-stones in life, not end goals. If they do not get what they want, they move to the next job. They see work as a part of life, not the entire point of it. And they would rather find a new job than compromise their values.

Bottom Line

Quit culture is viral for a reason—millions are doing it. Too many workers are unhappy with their present job and workplace environment. Whether it be due to a toxic environment, being underpaid, not feeling appreciated, working for a bad boss, or not having a future with the company, these are all major factors as to why the Quit Culture is not only real, but here to stay.
Work/life balance hit the mainstream during COVID, and many are not willing to give that up. The younger generations are changing the world by altering what “work” truly means. By treating work as a part of life, rather than the entire point of it, they are searching for companies that share their values and meet their needs.

Bottom line: When workers are not happy, companies need to step-up and remedy the issues or risk losing their most valued asset – outstanding, reliable employees who are primarily responsible for creating satisfied customers!