The Great Resignation | eKathimerini.com

‘Labour attraction’ has become the new slogan being repeated, like protest, by those alarmed by the impact on the local labor market of the so-called ‘Great Resignation’ trend. This pertains to the tourism and catering sectors (where more than 50,000 jobs have not been filled so far although the tourism season has already begun) and companies that are looking for but unable to find specialized employees.

The term “big resignation” was coined last year in the United States to describe the unprecedented increase in the number of workers who have lost their jobs and do not want them back or who have quit during the pandemic. Was it the result of a reassessment of their lifestyle, a reformulation of their priorities between work and personal needs and desires, or a more existential process? There have been many explanations and analyzes for this phenomenon, but what it boils down to is that Millennials and Generation Zs have decided to seek a new balance between their work and personal lives.

The Greek version of the Great Resignation bears similarities to the international trend but is also different in some respects. Once again, there are many different opinions about what is behind this new reality. It is not only that many workers prefer to collect unemployment benefits, which now amount to more than 400 euros per month, and to increase this through uninsured shift work; It is also a fact that the demand for workers in the tourism and catering sectors can be very stressful, especially at the height of the tourism season.

Those abandoned during the pandemic have a hard time getting back into what many describe as “hoppers” and essentially mean working 16 hours a day, seven days a week, for a small amount of money. This is clearly a broad generalization and there are many different categories. However, even good employers who offer decent wages and terms find it difficult to find employees for their businesses and companies.

It is a serious issue and should not be exploited for cheap political gain. It should not be viewed in terms of the ideological fixations and exploitative interpretations that some political parties often tend to rely on. It is an issue that requires a new perspective.

However, in addition to the measures already discussed to address this phenomenon – such as companies becoming more socially concerned and offering better incentives – there is also a need for more respect across the board for this thing called human capital, for the people who make up the workforce in The state, from the weakest position to the highest position. Because dignity is the only way to ensure reliability.