Labour shortage is on the news everywhere. Why? It comes back to life and us being human.
Mass Retirement
Those who have the option (pension, investment gains) to retire are taking advantage to do so. Why not? The Covid years have been very stressful and tough in different ways. Life is short and many in retirement age also have family members (parents or grandkids) that demand or would appreciate their support. Covid losses made us reframe what is important to us – what can wait? what can’t wait?
According to Pew Research, between 2008 and 2019, the retired population ages 55 and older grew by about 1 million retirees per year. In the past two years, the ranks of retirees 55 and older have grown by 3.5 million. Looking at the headline news of 10+ million unfilled positions, this is a meaningful factor. But can you blame them?
The World Is your Oyster
There has been lots of job changes among my friends recently. In the past, job rotations tend to be within an industry, as employers prefer to hire candidates with proven experiences in the same market and industry (including competitors). Promotion or meaningful salary growth often requires professionals to “hop” companies or relocate the family.
As more companies become open to hiring remotely, there are more cross-border and same-function, cross-industry hirings that create win-win for employers (access to better talent pool) and employees (more opportunities). The capable talent can get a better job at a bigger market with higher pay – without having to move. If you have hit a plateau of a role in Canada, you could find a US company offering similar or better work remotely and get an instant pay increase. Keep your local cost of living and quality of life (if you don’t want to live like a nomad to save more).
New Kinds of Work Opportunities
Even before Covid, restaurants struggled to hire (human) dishwashers (!), and later on, server and kitchen staff. Covid exposure aside – technology has also trained us to become less (in)personable. Who likes to deal with unreasonable, demanding customers? Or try to make people laugh? That’s what meme are for! Especially if workers are earning minimum wage and depending on tips to make a living. If they take on a driving or delivery job, they can control when to drive, the experience is digital, and there is no need to talk to people if they don’t want to. Often the pay is better too.
Or, there are freelance gigs that can be done from home – online research, virtual assistant, drop-shipping businesses. We all have skills that are not fully utilized at our day jobs, either personal passions, or just its someone else’s job or territory so we don’t get to contribute. There will be others who appreciate that value we bring.
Most of us “consume”, but it has never been easier to become a Creator. From streaming games, making podcasts, blogging and writing, performing music and dance, showing how to cook, unboxing products, there are platforms to fulfill every curiosity and obsession. The professional creator economy is already over 500,000 strong, with millions aspired or going pro-sumer. What can be better than learning, teaching, sharing, talking about things we care about, while making a living out of it?
There is a Thing called Life
Do we Work to Live, or Live to Work?
What’s the point of more material things and images if you don’t actually get to enjoy it?
What will the next promotion cost you and your family? Is it worth it?
What do you have to give up to earn that 2x overtime?
We all have people that we care for – people who need and appreciate us in unconditional ways, and our time with them will not wait. Social isolation may distort our sense of time, but we are not getting younger. Our parents and kids continue to grow, so is “moi” that need to be taken care of as well.
I had a few recent conversations with people about gap years on their resume. Is that an issue? Maybe for the recruiter, but not for you. I understand they are trained to look for redflags, but this is your life. Do what is right for you at the time, and worry (or not) about others’ perceptions later. Are companies better off having half-committed people with no gaps, or having fully-committed people when they are ready?
There are enough stories of successful people regreting not having spent the time, energy or attention to people they care about. Sacriface is a heavy word – Choice may be a better one.
Look after yourself, Care for the seniors in the family, Be present for your little ones
Can we make the Great Resignation the Great Unlock? It is all up to us.
With today’s digital tools, acceptance for flexible work, opportunities to lead and drive change, all it takes maybe our declaration to live and work in our own terms.
