
The Nice Resignation, because it’s change into identified, has been a wake-up name for employers and a shift in consciousness amongst employees. Throughout the pandemic, workers realized that they have been now not keen to just accept sure circumstances of their job, main many to stop leading to a scarcity of labor.
One of many main causes behind the Nice Resignation was low wages, with many employees quitting just because they have been underpaid and sometimes overworked. To determine what number of employees have change into targeted on getting paid extra, how they plan to attain that, and the way raises and methods of acquiring them differ amongst sure demographics, we carried out a survey of 1,003 workers all through the U.S.
Learn on to learn the way our respondents felt about being underpaid in at present’s work panorama.
Key Findings
- 54% of workers believed they’re underpaid on account of inflation.
- 65% of those that requested for 2 or extra raises within the final 12 months acquired them—rising their annual earnings by $5,000, on common.
- Whereas 57% of workers mentioned that extra PTO would make a job extra interesting, solely 24% have tried negotiating for extra PTO.
The Downside With Low Wages
The Nice Resignation was primarily considered as being a response to the pandemic within the sense that workers have been feeling burned out and bored with unfavorable office situations. It grew to become clear fairly shortly, although, that it was actually about low wages for a lot of employees.
Within the first a part of our examine, we requested respondents about their emotions on being underpaid within the present panorama, and why they really feel they’re not making sufficient.

Maybe probably the most telling facet of this a part of the examine was that 60% of respondents mentioned they’re underpaid; with the distinction between feeling underpaid and correctly compensated being $10,763, on common. There have been, naturally, many various causes that workers felt they have been underpaid, starting from their job title not reflecting the character of their position (39%) to, merely, greed (36%).
The first purpose amongst respondents nevertheless, which is particularly related in the mean time, is inflation. A whopping 54% of respondents mentioned they really feel their low wages are the results of inflation, which is a difficulty that’s nonetheless impacting hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout the nation as inflation charges exceed 7.5%.
Getting a Increase
Understanding the correct time to ask for a elevate generally is a little bit of an artwork and takes preparation and planning. However there has in all probability by no means been a greater time to ask for one than throughout the Nice Resignation, when workers have had, maybe, extra leverage than ever earlier than.
Within the subsequent a part of our examine, we requested respondents about getting a elevate: What number of they’ve requested for, how these raises impacted them financially, and the way rather more individuals might make in a special job or business.

Half of workers mentioned they’d earn more money than they have been making presently in the event that they sought a job in a special discipline, whereas 42% mentioned they’d make extra by securing a special job inside their present discipline. The business that stood out probably the most was retail and hospitality, with 55% saying they’d earn more money elsewhere. This determine isn’t totally shocking, contemplating 1 million restaurant and lodge employees stop their jobs this fall—a report excessive.
Whereas going elsewhere could be the proper transfer for some, for others who could also be too invested of their job or discipline, asking for a elevate is probably going the higher strategy to go. And plainly it has usually labored for respondents, particularly up to now 12 months amid the Nice Resignation. Sixty-five % of workers who requested for 2 or extra raises up to now 12 months bought them, and on common, they elevated their wage by $6,265. And curiously sufficient, those that requested for 2 or extra raises mentioned that they discovered the best way to negotiate most successfully from co-workers.
The Advantages of Needing Extra
To raised entice employees amid the Nice Resignation, employers haven’t solely elevated salaries however have additionally improved on the advantages they’re providing employees, each present and potential. Having higher advantages like extra paid day without work (PTO), a extra versatile schedule, higher well being care, and the possibility to make money working from home can actually enhance all areas of an worker’s life and also have a optimistic affect on their psychological well being and work-life steadiness.
To get a way of what our respondents felt would make a job provide extra interesting other than wage, we requested concerning the particular issues they wished to see from corporations, in addition to how vital these advantages have been to them when on the lookout for a job.

The overwhelming majority (71%) of respondents agreed that advantages have been crucial when on the lookout for a job. That mentioned, 55% additionally felt that firm tradition was an vital factor to concentrate on in a job search. Total, plainly extra PTO was the very best precedence profit (57%) that respondents mentioned would make a job extra interesting, although solely 24% mentioned they’ve truly negotiated for extra PTO.
Fifty-six % of workers in our examine mentioned that versatile scheduling was an interesting profit, and 23% mentioned they’ve truly negotiated for such a profit. With the Nice Resignation emphasizing the detriments of being overworked and underpaid, having a extra versatile schedule is a logical precedence amongst employees nowadays, as is the flexibility to make money working from home. The truth is, 55% of respondents mentioned that working from dwelling was an interesting profit when job looking out.
Higher Pay, Extra Monetary Freedom
The very fact is that low wages stay a major problem within the U.S., although the pandemic and the ensuing Nice Resignation have each highlighted the significance of addressing these points within the workforce. Our findings confirmed that many employees really feel they’re not getting paid sufficient, and a big portion of workers assume they’ll earn more money elsewhere. However with higher advantages and an improved paycheck, employers will certainly begin to see extra retention throughout the board. Our examine additionally reveals that workers can empower themselves on this scenario by asking for a elevate. And for the worker, more cash means a larger probability at monetary freedom. At I Will Train You To Be Wealthy, that’s precisely what we do. We will help you—like we assist individuals of all backgrounds—obtain monetary freedom, serving to you make investments your cash, and providing you with the instruments to perform your monetary targets.
Methodology and Limitations
We collected 1,003 responses of employed individuals in the US. 53% of our contributors recognized as males, 46% recognized as ladies, and roughly 1% recognized as nonbinary or nonconforming. Contributors ranged in age from 19 to 89 years outdated. Those that reported no present employment or who failed an attention-check query have been disqualified.
The info we’re presenting depends on self-report. There are numerous points with self-reported information, together with however not restricted to, the next: selective reminiscence, telescoping, attribution, and exaggeration.
Truthful Use Assertion
In case you are trying to earn extra yearly or know somebody who’s, you’re welcome to share these findings. We simply ask that you just hyperlink again to our examine and that your functions are noncommercial.