What is the Great Resignation?
According to NPR, the Great Resignation “refers to the roughly 33 million Americans who quit their jobs since the spring of 2021.” This ongoing phenomenon has caused a shift in the idea of employment and the workforce. People are quitting their jobs for various reasons. But the main idea is that leaving or resigning is better than their current situation. People want more for themselves, in terms of flexibility, pay, recognition and independence.
Has the Idea of the “Workplace” Changed For Better or Worse?
The workplace has significantly changed because people are discovering their own self worth. They are starting their own businesses, creating side hustles, figuring out what they can do to make a living that is not tied to someone else. Not only are people seeing self worth we also have Gen Z coming into the workforce and they come from a life where social media, influencers and working for yourself are priority. They don’t want the full time work, the clocking in and out. So filling the spot of open positions has been difficult.
Why Did This Shift Occur?
One of the main reasons this shift occurred was because people got tired of the way they were treated. The idea of stability was lost when the pandemic hit. People who thought they were secure in their employment realized otherwise.
People realize a few things during this time. Some realized they may have been mistreated or taken advantage of in their position. Others realized they didn’t actually like what they were doing and others realized the stress the job had on them. From having to get kids dropped off at school, paying more, having to commute, or not having that time to do some self care.
When they realized they can work from home or create their own business they got time back which fixed stressors such as schedules, putting in some time for self care, cutting additional costs, etc. People found that in order to be your own boss, they had to walk away from the W2 mentality and welcome the independent contractor lifestyle.
How This Affects Independent Contractors
Being an independent contractor means being your own boss. When they realized they can work from home or create their own business they got time back. This fixed their stressors such as schedules, putting in some time for self care, cutting additional costs, etc. People found that in order to be your own boss, they had to walk away from the W2 mentality and welcome the independent contractor lifestyle.
With being an independent contractor you no longer report to a boss. You are your own boss! You get to choose your own way of working. Working the way you want when it comes to starting your day and how you want to navigate that day. You get to choose the tools you want, how much you want to work and even who you want to hire to help you do the job.
How DDI Can Help You Become Your Own Boss
We know everything about independent contractors. We partner with businesses in the: courier, grocery, restaurants, and retail industries. With DDI in the last-mile delivery industry, picking up gigs is easy. If you are interested in becoming your own boss, check out our drive with us page to learn more!
