A. The Great Resignation, also known as the Big Quit, is a term describing the unusually high rate at which employees voluntarily quit their jobs, a trend that began in early 2021, particularly in the United States. This economic phenomenon was a significant after-effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a profound shift in how people thought about their lives, work, and priorities. It was not just a temporary spike in resignations but represented a fundamental re-evaluation of the employer-employee relationship.
B. Several factors contributed to this trend. The pandemic forced many people to confront their own mortality and to question whether their job was truly fulfilling. The widespread shift to remote work gave many office workers a taste of greater flexibility and autonomy, making a return to the traditional in-office, 9-to-5 structure seem undesirable. For frontline workers in sectors like hospitality and retail, who faced high risks and often low pay during the pandemic, the period led to demands for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
C. The Great Resignation was not just about people leaving the workforce entirely; it was also about a mass shuffling of talent. Many workers were not just quitting, but were moving to new jobs that offered better pay, more flexibility, a better work-life balance, or a stronger sense of purpose. This created a highly competitive labour market where employers had to work harder to attract and retain employees, giving workers more bargaining power than they had had in decades.
D. This period has had a lasting impact on the world of work. It has accelerated the adoption of flexible work arrangements, such as remote and hybrid models. It has forced companies to pay more attention to employee well-being, company culture, and career development opportunities. The Great Resignation served as a powerful signal that the expectations of the workforce have changed, pushing businesses to create more human-centric and supportive work environments.
IELTS Practice Tests Practice Test / Part 1 #202
IELTS Practice Tests Practice Test / Part 1 #208
