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The pandemic is not only affecting global public health but also causing chaos for the economy, disrupting supply chains and causing labor shortages for businesses around the world.

Economists say that not only changing demographics like aging and retiring employees are a factor behind the shortages, but also border controls, immigration limits, and demands for better pay and flexible working arrangements.

The latest labor data from the United States, for example, shows that the number of people who are willing to walk away from their jobs or to switch employment is growing. A U.S. Labor Department's Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, released in October, showed there were 10.4 million job openings in August whereas the number of people leaving their jobs (the so-called "quits rate") rose to 4.3 million, the highest level seen on records dating back to December 2000. And it's showing.

On Monday, a Chipotle location in Kentucky was forced to temporarily close its doors after half of its staff walked out on the job

Image credits: ROC United

A video showing the simple sign the employees left went viral on TikTok in the hours following the mass resignation, and local Kentucky reporter Doug Proffitt also posted a picture of it on his Facebook, adding a statement from Chipotle itself.

The location's general manager, Raven Whallen, provided this explanation when reached by the Louisville Eccentric Observer: a series of unexpected staff resignations forced the Chipotle location to temporarily close its doors on Monday, but that didn't prevent it from reopening Tuesday morning. Apparently, the restaurant lost three employees on Monday. One had already put in her two-week notice but decided to leave her position early. Another was too frightened to return to work after discovering that her car's catalytic converter was stolen and her tires slit. A manager also left their position, leaving the store acutely understaffed.

But Chipotle, like many restaurants and fast-food locations across the US, has been struggling to maintain its employee count. The ongoing pandemic, paired with difficult customers, unsympathetic corporate management, and low pay, make these positions difficult to sell, even for the industry's typically young workers. As noted by Whallen, "A lot of people don't want to work nights, and if they do, they’re underage. So, it's kind of hard because they all have to be off at a certain time. We have to follow the labor laws."

In a similar case, one Dunkin' Donuts worker put his pay stub on blast, saying he doesn’t get paid enough for the misery he goes through

Image credits: ScorchedEarthCorey

TikToker @scorchedearthcorey blasted Dunkin' Donuts for not compensating their employees enough. "I just want you to look at this because, for some reason, some people think that other people are there to entertain them," he said in his viral clip."This is my main source of income, to pay child support ... Do you think with my 73 hours of f****** misery and bulls***, that you should come and try to bother me more? People think customer service is end-all-be-all. Let me explain something to you: I do not get paid enough to listen to you. I do not get paid enough to take your B.S. I do not get paid enough for you to treat me like I'm your entertainment."

People think the ordeal at the Kentucky Chipotle is a sign of a larger problem

And they're right, similar signs have been popping up all over the United States

#1

Nobody Wants To Work

Nobody Wants To Work

fightfor15 Report

#2

Much Better Than The “Nobody Wants To Work” Signs Many Restaurants Put Up Now

Much Better Than The “Nobody Wants To Work” Signs Many Restaurants Put Up Now

supersport1104 Report

#3

It's Happening

It's Happening

HaritoMorales Report

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tayday88 avatar
Taylor Davis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the goal of capitalists is to eventually reduce labor costs to zero, who will be able to buy their products? Robots?

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#4

It's About Time

It's About Time

MattPostSaysHi Report

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Jessica Cole
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Democrats" give free money.... I swear my first Covid relief check had Donald Duck's signature on it... It's Donald Duck, right? I love it when people don't understand the government as a whole.

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#5

Local Wendy’s Meets Its End

Local Wendy’s Meets Its End

harpesfyuf Report

#6

How Are You Guys Doing?

How Are You Guys Doing?

brettdapitts Report

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Janet Thomson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I wouldn't go to a Chipotle if you paid me $1,000!! People have short memories!! Don't you remember the thousand of people who got sick all over the country from eating there: noruvirus,e coli and salmonella???!!!

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#7

Sorry But We Are Closed

Sorry But We Are Closed

bhig3 Report

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arthurwaite avatar
Arthur Waite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Surprisingly honest statement - or is that sarcasm? Comes out to the same thing, but fun to read, anyway.

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#8

My Local Burger King The Other Night

My Local Burger King The Other Night

nataliemaria Report

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Mike Loux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Lack of morale." Morale comes from the top down. That's a management problem.

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#9

No More Exploiting Us

No More Exploiting Us

BrandsOwned Report

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Queserasera423
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Multiple chipotles with employee walkouts- makes me think it's a corporate issue and not the local management?

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#10

They Left Off

They Left Off

mcdowell_is Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do want to work, we want to work for housing, bills, kids, a few fun things, pension, a holiday and affordable healthcare. You want us to work for fu*k all, THAT'S why we left, you greedy basterds.

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#11

Nobody Wants To Work

Nobody Wants To Work

leigh_fall Report

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Libstak
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

$2.13 an hour is an obscenity. That's $21.30 for 10 hours of a person's life, how can they not be ashamed to think they are entitled to that level of even slave labour from anybody?

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#12

No One Wants To Work Anymore

No One Wants To Work Anymore

chrisjollyhale Report

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ZAPanda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow, this is literally lower than what we pay a gardener in africa. I'm really not surprised.

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#13

9 Employees Quit At A Burger King Location In Nebraska. They Cited Egregious Working Conditions

9 Employees Quit At A Burger King Location In Nebraska. They Cited Egregious Working Conditions

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#14

Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

moral_mel Report

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That nasty little "due to government handouts" bit is despicable. I hope that Americans will boycot these shitty restaurants!

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#16

Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

uw888 Report

#17

No One Wants To Work

No One Wants To Work

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Paul Davis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess no one is wasting this employer's time by helping him make a living. He must not want to do what it takes to get ahead, the lazy bum.

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#18

New ‘Nobody Wants To Work At A Burger Joint Where They Can’t Afford The Food’ Hours

New ‘Nobody Wants To Work At A Burger Joint Where They Can’t Afford The Food’ Hours

Type_A_Minus Report

#20

This Sign At A New York Burger Joint

This Sign At A New York Burger Joint

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#21

The Pharmacy In My Pharmacy Is Closed. I Was Supposed To Pick Up My Diabetes Meds Here…didn’t Get A Call, Message, Nothing…

The Pharmacy In My Pharmacy Is Closed. I Was Supposed To Pick Up My Diabetes Meds Here…didn’t Get A Call, Message, Nothing…

ScorpionBob Report

#22

Sids In Aptos. Nobody Wants To Work For You Anymore!

Sids In Aptos. Nobody Wants To Work For You Anymore!

imhere4science Report