15,000 Rhode Islanders Quit Their Jobs in One Month, According to Federal Data

15,000 Rhode Islanders Quit Their Jobs in One Month, According to Federal Data

The newest numbers show that Rhode Islanders are quitting their jobs at a record pace. Much has been made about the so-called Great Resignation.

New numbers show that in the most recent month of reported data, approximately 15,000 Rhode Islanders quit their jobs in September.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3.1% of the workforce quit their jobs — higher than the national average of 3.0 percent.

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One sector of the economy that has been hard hit by workers’ resignations has hammered has been nursing homes.

“The devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic has been seen full force in Rhode Island nursing homes," said John Gage, President of the Rhode Island Health Care Association. "The result of this survey quantifies what we already knew – Rhode Island nursing homes are facing the fight of their lives and the future of long-term care for Rhode Island’s most vulnerable citizens stands in the balance.”

There are 1,920 open positions in RI nursing homes — this is an 18.3% unemployment rate based on the 10,495 employees needed to service RI’s nursing homes. Many nursing home jobs are low-paid and difficult work, especially during a pandemic.

The quitting is nearly 600% higher than 12 months earlier (September of 2020) and increased more than 36% from just a month earlier — 11,000 quit in August.

 

Why Are People Quitting?

A columnist for Inc. Magazine says there are four major reasons driving the Great Resignation:

- Provide career growth opportunities.

- Don't confuse contentment with loyalty.

- Achieve a work-life balance.

- Make mental health a priority.

Rhode Island employers should beware -- the number of workers quitting each month is only increasing.