The Great Resignation is 'over'. What does that mean?

Plenty of workers are happy in their new positions amid the Great Resignation. But for some, hindsight is 20/20.

When Lucy was offered a full-time remote position at a digital publication agency, it felt like an upgrade on her current role. Not only would the London-based creative-services manager be given a more flexible working arrangement, but she’d also seemingly be granted greater career opportunities – as well as a healthy pay rise. 

“At my interview, I was told the role would be a complete step-up from my current work,” says Lucy, whose surname is being withheld for job-security concerns. “I was promised I’d be working on bigger and better things, collaborating with more high-profile clients.”

After struggling to make up her mind whether to accept the position, Lucy eventually opted to take the new job. But even in her first week, her day-to-day experiences didn’t match what her boss had promised in the recruitment stage. “During the on-boarding process, I realised my role had been oversold,” she says. “It was actually much more admin based, and there was high staff turnover.” 

Soon, Lucy began to question her decision to change jobs. “There were many positives at my old employer – it wasn't easy to leave,” she explains. “Looking back, I was tempted to move based on over-promises made by my new boss, who was desperate to hire anybody. By my second day at work, I was deeply regretting the choice I’d made. It felt like I'd taken a step back in my career.”