Dive Brief:

• SHRM.org reports that 2.8 million people quit their jobs in March 2015, up slightly from 2.7 million in February and the most in seven years, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• The BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary report showed that the quits rate is back to pre-recession levels, indicating rising confidence in finding new opportunities.
• The SHRM article adds that the number of quits increased in March in the retail trade, accommodation and food services industries. Quits decreased in health care and social assistance. Year over year, quits increased in several industries including retail, health care and hospitality.

Dive Insight:

Jennifer Schramm, SHRM-SCP, manager of workforce trends, says that "when the quits rate goes up, HR can assume they will need to be prepared for increased voluntary turnover rates because it is a sign that workers are more confident about leaving their jobs and finding new positions.

Schramm said that while the quits rate is basically unchanged from the previous month, the longer trend numbers show “a sense that turnover may be starting to pick up slightly.” She also says that the situation can be seen as "half empty or half full" depending on your perspective.