ADVERTISEMENT

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

Ellis Reed
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The correct response to "nO oNe WaNtS tO WoRk AnYmOrE".

View more comments
RELATED:
    #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

    Taylor Davis
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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?

    View more comments
    #4

    It's About Time

    It's About Time

    MattPostSaysHi Report

    Jessica Cole
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Local Wendy’s Meets Its End

    Local Wendy’s Meets Its End

    harpesfyuf Report

    Hermione
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Have a great day though! Thanks. I will.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    How Are You Guys Doing?

    How Are You Guys Doing?

    brettdapitts Report

    Janet Thomson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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???!!!

    View more comments
    #7

    Sorry But We Are Closed

    Sorry But We Are Closed

    bhig3 Report

    Arthur Waite
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 years ago Created 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.

    View more comments
    #8

    My Local Burger King The Other Night

    My Local Burger King The Other Night

    nataliemaria Report

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

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

    RaroaRaroa
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A manager of a chain store probably doesn't have any control over pay rates and conditions either. Which is why many of these signs sound like they may have been written by managers.

    Load More Replies...
    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who the hell is Lack Morale, I need to talk to him.

    Porcsha Smoody
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    More money and positive work environment will raise morale!

    Kristy Nelson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, I think the person who wrote this needs to look in the mirror!

    John C
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    looks like they did, right before writing this note. probably through tears and loads of self-doubt about their life decisions. hopefully they quit and found a better job.

    Load More Replies...
    Mickie Shea
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Burger King well always have the "looks like a pedophile" demoniac King.

    Heather Mook
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is a tree top problem. When all the lower workers look up, all the see is a**holes. When the upper management looks down, all they see are s**theads.

    Beezel Palomar
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Be consistent with you capitalization.

    Gin Marie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, unclench, sparky, if that's your primary concern here.

    Load More Replies...
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    No More Exploiting Us

    No More Exploiting Us

    BrandsOwned Report

    Queserasera423
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    They Left Off

    They Left Off

    mcdowell_is Report

    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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.

    View more comments
    #11

    Nobody Wants To Work

    Nobody Wants To Work

    leigh_fall Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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?

    View more comments
    #12

    No One Wants To Work Anymore

    No One Wants To Work Anymore

    chrisjollyhale Report

    ZAPanda
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    Report

    James Mills
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The were probably paying less than the shell was for petrol per litre.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #14

    Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

    Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

    moral_mel Report

    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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!

    View more comments
    #15

    Store Closed

    Store Closed

    anthonyvclark20 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #16

    Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

    Nobody Wants To Work Anymore

    uw888 Report

    Monica Martinez Castañeda
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Try paying your workers and they might show up... These signs are shocking.... :)

    View more comments
    #17

    No One Wants To Work

    No One Wants To Work

    Report

    Paul Davis
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #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

    Paul Werner
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unless they change people aren't coming back to work for you

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #19

    What's Going On With Fast Food Employees Quitting?

    What's Going On With Fast Food Employees Quitting?

    totally_a_moderator Report

    #20

    This Sign At A New York Burger Joint

    This Sign At A New York Burger Joint

    Report

    Paul Werner
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one wants to be taken advantage of is what it should say

    View more comments
    #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

    Hermione
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There were no employees left to make the calls?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #22

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

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

    imhere4science Report

    Paul Werner
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup $2800 and everyone just retired and aren't going to work anymore

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda