Department of Labor reports record number of Americans quitting jobs

MIAMI VALLEY — A record number of Americans are quitting their jobs. This comes as more Americans are demanding higher pay, better working conditions and more flexible arrangements.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 2.9 percent of workers, or 4.3 million people, handed in their resignations in August, the highest increase since December 2020.

“We’re in such a strong job market right now,” Michael Zimmerman, Public Information Officer for Montgomery County Business Services, said.

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Zimmerman told News Center 7′s Candace Price that “employers are competing for employees.” He said that the competition is great for workers.

“There’s a lot of competition leading to some wage increases,” Zimmerman said.

On the other hand, Zimmerman said the competition is bad for businesses. He noted that businesses need now to figure out how much they can pay, as well as what the competition is doing.

Zimmerman said he has witnessed the pandemic have a major impact on people leaving their jobs.

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“If you look at what jobs lost the most people, it’s the service industry. So it’s people having a lot of contact with people,” Zimmerman said.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more people quit in accommodation and food services than any other industry.

Locally, a spokesperson for Kroger said they are looking to fill 2,000 roles in the Cincinnati/Dayton Division over the next several weeks. A statement said the hiring is “typical” for the company as the prepare for the holiday season. “This year, we expect great demand as families safely return to large scale gatherings and celebrations,” the company’s statement read.

The Montgomery County Job Center said 54 percent of companies in the area are actively looking to fill more than 1,200 positions.

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