How the Pandemic Has Reshaped the Work Landscape

More than 22 million Americans lost their jobs in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, over half a million Americans turned that loss into a gain with an increase in start-ups and entrepreneurship. 

Faced with the financial upheavals created by the pandemic, Boston attorney Tasha Marshall became one of many who decided to make the best of things and started her own law practice focusing her public interest law degree into estate planning. 

“One in three millennials will quit their jobs after the pandemic to bet on themselves,” she said. “I became the one in three. I am scared, but I know it is the right thing to do. Any other time that I have bet on myself I either got a blessing or a lesson. No matter what, I have always won.”

Last summer it was reported that the number of Americans who started a business increased by a whopping 551,657 applicants.

Since the start of the pandemic, many working Americans were laid off, transitioned to telecommuting, and forced to depend on unemployment funds including those created specifically to assist those impacted by the pandemic. The amount of uncertainty for their careers and futures was on the line. However, the time spent away from the job or even at dead-end jobs has forced many people to rethink their career goals and many, like Tasha, have decided to take the plunge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 4 million Americans left their jobs this past April alone. Last summer it was reported that the number of Americans who started a business increased by a whopping 551,657 applicants. The Census Bureau reported the findings to be a 95 percent increase compared to 2019.

Customer service and business services such as retail lost the most workers during the pandemic. Many clothing stores have closed or have been forced to operate online only because of the worker shortage. The “Now Hiring” signs can be seen at many locations that are struggling to keep up with the demand. It has little to nothing to do with the peddled lie by the GOP and its supporters that people just do not want to work. It has more to do with people deciding that they want more for themselves and their families. Working remotely has also reminded many people of the amount of time they have allotted to themselves for a healthy work-life balance that seemed impossible before. 

With long commutes and low wages, people have begun to see some jobs as needlessly draining. Not to mention the food service industry workers who worked for low wages, inconsistent hours, no insurance, dealt with abuse on the job, and were at high risk of contracting COVID-19.

Career Transition Coach Dr. Twanna Carter was also one of many who left their career during a pandemic. She is a Certified Anger Management Specialist, Resilience Coach, and licensed therapist who shared her journey to entrepreneurship.

“The chance to be independent and actually just do what I loved to do each day appealed to me,” she said. “If you are going to spend most of your day at work, why not truly enjoy what you’re doing? Of course, it also helped that I was earning my full-time salary working in my businesses part-time. This is what made me realize that I could do it. I could actually do the work I love and support myself and my family.”

Although the United States has seen a slow increase in the creation of new jobs, it still has not caught up with the number of jobs lost during the start of the pandemic. An average of 535,000 jobs was reportedly created every month so far this year alone. Companies are scrambling to attract workers, offering sign-on bonuses, more paid time off, and even college tuition in some cases. Reports have shown a 50 percent increase from last year in bonuses in this past May’s paychecks. With more companies providing better wages and long-term incentives, workers are now able to weigh their options. 

Many workers hope never to return to workspaces that do not reflect or support the lives they want to live going forward.

The fight to raise the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour has raged on much louder during the pandemic as well. The United States’ minimum wage is $7.25 and has been since 2007 with no consideration for the increased cost of living. Washington, D.C., and 30 states have attempted to keep up with inflation and raised their minimum wages above the requirements.  Several companies including Southwest Airlines, Under Armour, and Chipotle have increased their starting pay to $15 an hour. Other companies attempted useless incentives to win back workers during the pandemic versus increasing pay. This has contributed to many leaving jobs in hopes of something better and creating their version of better.

“One of the most important questions to ask yourself is whether your job aligns with your purpose,” Dr. Carter said. “If it does, stay in your current role. If it does not, it is time to switch. Remember that you do not have to go it alone. When you are trying to change careers or advance, it can often be helpful to ask questions, do informational interviews, join groups, and really tap into your network.”

The pandemic has reshaped the work landscape and continues to challenge companies’ long-term incentives and wages. Many workers hope never to return to workspaces that do not reflect or support the lives they want to live going forward. Working tirelessly for companies with rigorous hours and glass ceilings is not okay anymore, not even to simply pay bills. Americans are looking for more viable work opportunities even if that means creating them for themselves. 

Melissa Menny is an author with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. She is a poet and a writer in all aspects. When she is not working, she enjoys painting, music, and spending time with her husband and son.

Featured photo credit: Photo by Clemens van Lay on Unsplash