According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, the resignation rates among white-collar workers in the United States are surprisingly low. This phenomenon has prompted concerns for companies, as it may lead to issues such as increased costs. Notably, this year has seen a significant decrease in resignation rates across the U.S., with executives from companies like Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Bank of America noting that the rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals' Vice President of Human Resources, Tailor, while refusing to disclose the exact resignation rates, acknowledged that they are at their lowest in the last six years. He emphasized that a drastic reduction would be undesirable as it could indicate an unhealthy period for the company. The decrease in resignation rates poses challenges for employers, leading to increased efforts to find solutions.
Denis Machuel, the CEO of Adecco Group ADEN, a global staffing company, highlighted how macro-economic downturns discourage white-collar workers from exploring other job opportunities. Machuel observed that the mindset of 'last in, first out' adopted by employees enhances their chances of retaining their current roles.
Some companies are turning to technology for solutions. ServiceNow, a software company, utilizes an artificial intelligence model predicting the number of voluntary resignations every three months. The company's Vice President noted that resignation rates remain remarkably low according to this model.
In response to the decreased resignation rates, companies are adopting various strategies. For instance, Pitney Bowes, a transportation company, started hiring interns due to the low mobility of existing staff. This approach has helped manage the low personnel turnover.
While low resignation rates bring stability and loyalty for some companies, they also pose challenges. Companies, hesitant to resort to layoffs, might tighten performance evaluations, potentially pressuring employees to leave voluntarily.
Some managers believe that employee turnover has a positive impact on the market. They argue that insufficient resignations can lead to stagnation, reducing overall productivity. However, others argue that in places where company culture is well-established, resignation rates tend to be lower.
Supporting the observed trends, the U.S. Department of Labor reported a decline in national resignation rates, falling from a peak of 3% in April 2022 to a consistent 2.3% for the third consecutive month.