Weekend Times


Google Workspace

Business News

Australia isn't experiencing the great resignation yet, but there has been an uptick

  • Written by Martin Edwards, Associate Professor in Management and Business, The University of Queensland
Australia isn't experiencing the great resignation yet, but there has been an uptick

The past year has been awash with suggestions countries such as Australia are experiencing a “great resignation” as workers previously loyal to their employers quit their jobs and look for others elsewhere.

Last year, newspaper articles aside, there was little evidence for this in Australia, although substantial evidence in the United States where the term came from.

In the US, so-called “quit rates” hit a record high in 2021, while in Australia the proportion of workers switching jobs fell to its lowest point in half a century. Writing in November, University of Melbourne economists Mark Wooden and Peter Gahan pointed out that in the US, COVID had made public-facing jobs unsafe[1], which may have contributed to people quitting these roles en masse. Quit rates hadn’t climbed in US finance or information technology jobs. Read more: Australia's 'great resignation' is a myth — we are changing jobs less often[2] In Australia, where border closures, mask mandates and vaccination mandates made public-facing jobs safer, job-switching continued its long-term decline. Until now. The annual February mobility survey published by the Bureau of Statistics in May shows an uptick in the proportion of workers switching, from a record low of 7.5% to 9.5%[3]. One way to look at the uptick is to say Australia has the highest switching rate since 2012. If records only went back to 2012, we could say Australia had the highest switching rate on record. But here’s the thing. The US records only go back to December 2000[4]. If they went back further, US quit rates might be seen to be on the same sort of long-term slide as Australia’s. We just don’t know. In Australia’s case, recent job mobility rates over the last decade or two have been extraordinarily low compared to historical job mobility levels. For all we know this is the case in the US as well. At one point the late 1980s, almost one in five Australian workers changed jobs in a year. These days, even after the latest uptick, it is one in ten. The uptick might be little more than a rebound from a specific historic low caused by lockdowns and border closures. Read more: Despite record vacancies, Australians shouldn't expect big pay rises soon[5] We can be sure that the uptick in job switching is not due to an uptick in retrenchments. Australia’s retrenchment rate[6] (the number of people who are retrenched in a year as a proportion of the number employed at the start of that year) fell to a 50-year low in February. Another thing we know is that there are more job vacancies[7] (and more job vacancies per unemployed persons) than ever before in Australia. There were 423,500 unfilled jobs in February, and 563,300 unemployed, meaning there were only 1.3 unemployed people chasing each vacant job, the slowest ratio in records going back to 1980. More job vacancies for each unemployed person than ever before Seasonally adjusted. ABS labour force, job vacancies[8] This is likely to mean that more people will be tempted to switch jobs soon. They might even be doing it, meaning the uptick will continue when the figures are updated next February. Watch this space. Read more: An extra 60,600 Australians found work in May. Here's why wages aren't moving much[9] References^ unsafe (theconversation.com)^ Australia's 'great resignation' is a myth — we are changing jobs less often (theconversation.com)^ 9.5% (www.abs.gov.au)^ December 2000 (www.bls.gov)^ Despite record vacancies, Australians shouldn't expect big pay rises soon (theconversation.com)^ retrenchment rate (www.abs.gov.au)^ job vacancies (www.abs.gov.au)^ ABS labour force, job vacancies (www.abs.gov.au)^ An extra 60,600 Australians found work in May. Here's why wages aren't moving much (theconversation.com)Authors: Martin Edwards, Associate Professor in Management and Business, The University of Queensland

Read more https://theconversation.com/australia-isnt-experiencing-the-great-resignation-yet-but-there-has-been-an-uptick-184384

The Weekend Times Magazine

Smart Lock: The Future of Home Security and Convenience

A smart lock has revolutionized the way people think about home security. Moving beyond traditional keys and mechanical locks, smart locks bring technology and convenience together, offering homeowners and businesses a new...

Planting The Seed To Health Living Top tips on planting for wellbeing

With the family home full time and a need to keep everyone busy, it is the ideal time to plant a seed to a healthier lifestyle. Tuscan Path Product Manager...

Defacto Partner Visa Help from Best Immigration Lawyer AU

When two people decide to share their lives together, the legal paperwork shouldn’t get in the way. But if your relationship involves immigration, it often does. Australia’s partner visa process...

A Complete Guide to Hiring Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are used for transferring various types of products over long distances, usually from one country to another. They are also used as storage containers. But people who hire...

How Retractable Awnings Enhance Comfort, Outdoor Living, and Sun Protection

Outdoor areas are valuable parts of any home or commercial property, offering space for relaxation, dining, and entertainment. However, harsh sunlight, UV exposure, rain, and fluctuating temperatures can make outdoor...

How to Care for Your Dental Veneers: Tips from Experts

Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry solution that enhances smiles by covering imperfections such as discoloration, chips, or gaps. Among the different types available, porcelain veneers stand out for...

Top 6 Ways Robotic Pool Cleaners Save You Time and Money

A pool is a great investment that improves the aesthetics of your home and also offers a fun and enjoyable way to relax, exercise or entertain loved ones. However, many...

Weekend getaways from Perth

You Are in Perth, Australia and You Want to Get Away for the Weekend: What Are the Options? Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world, but that...

Car Removal Melbourne and Clearing Vehicles the Easy Way

Unwanted vehicles can quietly become a problem, occupying space, losing value, and creating unnecessary stress. Car removal Melbourne offers a practical way to deal with cars that are no longer useful...