[jyl]

It’s kind of like the past year has been a wakeup call for many. Involuntarily separated from the daily grind, and with unemployment benefits paying the bills, millions of people took stock and decided that their jobs sucked. In many cases, they were right.

The most capable, motivated and fortunate will get themselves into jobs they like better. Most will have to go back to those sucky jobs, but with some extra pay. Some will not find a seat on the merry go round.

On top of all that, it just takes way longer to find a job / employee than to quit / lay off, even in normal times.

I believe a similar thing is happening further up the income scale. People have come to value flexible hours and working from home, and are quitting rather than be ordered back to the office full time. Others have realized that life is short, and are taking chances, trying new things, starting businesses, moving to new places. Many have decided to retire and enjoy life.

When a waiter or line cook decides to try something else, people call it lazy people sponging. When an account executive or programmer does it, people call it courageous and admirable.