The Spanish labor market will close 2025 with a historic record of voluntary resignations, surpassing for the first time the barrier of 12,000 daily resignations on average, which is equivalent to nearly 250,000 resignations per month.
In the first eleven months of the year, 2.88 million voluntary resignations have been recorded, 7.5% more than in the same period of 2024, and everything indicates that the year will close exceeding three million, according to the latest Social Security data.
For Rhombus, a consultancy specializing in organizational strategy and talent management, these figures confirm that "Spain has fully joined a global phenomenon that accelerated after the pandemic and is known as 'The Great Resignation'."
“We are not facing a one-off surge or a simple consequence of labor reform. What we are seeing is a profound cultural shift in the way people relate to work,” states Soly Sakal, CEO of the consultancy.
Although the increase in permanent employment and greater labor mobility explain part of the phenomenon, **76% of resignations** today come from **permanent contract** workers, Rhombus warns that the origin of the problem goes beyond economic factors. "For years, it was thought that talent attraction was solely resolved with **good remuneration**, and that **is no longer enough**," points out Sakal
According to the consultancy specializing in business advice, after the pandemic many people have reevaluated their life and professional priorities. “The pandemic forced us to stop and think. And many people realized that perhaps they didn't need so much, that they weren't so satisfied, and that they wanted to live and work differently,” explains Sakal.
In this context, Sakal emphasizes that **professionals demand more humane work environments, with real opportunities for growth, recognition, and clear purpose**. "People need to feel they are progressing, that they are valued, and that their work has meaning beyond just clocking in or reaching a financial goal," the expert stresses.
Retaining talent, the great challenge for companies
The impact of this trend is already being felt in organizations. According to the Bank of Spain, 48% of companies report problems arising from a lack of labor, a figure that highlights the difficulties in attracting and, above all, retaining talent.
"One of the main challenges for companies today is retention," points out Sakal, who adds that "it's not solved solely with salaries or bonuses. It's solved with **real work-life balance, with opportunities for professional development**, and with a corporate culture that cares for people."
Experts highlight that work-life balance should not be understood solely as flexible hours, but as the real capacity of individuals to balance their professional and personal lives.
"It's not just about having time for family, but about **being able to enjoy it without guilt or pressure**," adds Sakal. Another factor explaining the increase in resignations is, according to Rhombus, **the absence of comprehensive workplace well-being strategies**.
