Stitch Fixer - Final Thought: Generational Whiplash—Watching Stability Traded for Entitlement

This Isn't Just About Quilting—It's About Work and Life

I watched it happen recently, right here at Countryside Quilts. One of our employees walked out—no notice, no conversation, no plan. Just gone. The reason? An online "work from anywhere" gig, promising fast money and "freedom from management."

I'm still scratching my head.

What They Gave Up 💼

This wasn't a dead-end job. It was stable, with:

• 📅 Reliable hours and schedule flexibility
• 💊 Health insurance for their family
• 💰 Quarterly bonuses and matching 401(k)
• 🛍️ Employee discounts used every week
• 📞 Counseling and financial coaching, when needed

This person had real-life responsibilities: bills, kids, a car payment. Yet walked away—for a wild promise from a stranger on TikTok?

The Bigger Picture—It's Not Just Us

Turns out, we're not alone. New research says 62% of hourly retail employees plan to leave their jobs within a year, and 64% want out of retail altogether. The average turnover rate in retail now? About 60%. Some shops see it hit 76% for frontline, hourly folks. Reasons? Lack of benefits, challenging working conditions, and—no surprise—everybody wants flexibility and respect.

When small businesses like ours lose just one person, it can cost $3,500 or more to find and train a replacement. But the real impact? Morale drops. The team feels the strain. Customers miss the smiling faces and local know-how that make Main Street special.

Our regular customers at Countryside Quilts notice when familiar faces disappear. They ask where so-and-so went, whether they're coming back. These relationships matter—they're the fabric that holds our business together, just like the stitches that hold a quilt in place.

Real-Life Ripple Effects

One interior design firm ended up reshuffling its whole workflow after good people left because they "didn't vibe" with the company culture. A digital agency's boss had to do three jobs himself to make up for open spots. Even big companies feel the "ripple"—when one goes, sometimes others reconsider, too.

We've experienced this firsthand. When one person leaves without notice, everyone else has to pick up the slack. Projects get delayed. Special orders fall behind. The remaining team members feel overwhelmed and underappreciated. It's a domino effect that touches every corner of our shop.

Last holiday season, we lost two staff members within weeks of each other. One gave proper notice, which we appreciated and managed to work around. The other simply texted "I quit" the night before a major weekend sale. The difference in impact was staggering. With proper notice, we adjusted schedules, shifted responsibilities, and maintained our customer service standards. With the sudden departure, we struggled through our busiest weekend understaffed, leaving both customers and team members frustrated.

Generational Disconnect 🤷

I don't want to stereotype, but let's be honest—something's changed. Younger workers are looking for flexibility, a voice in decisions, and meaning in their work (and I get it!). But more and more, we see:

• Decisions made on impulse, not planning
• High expectations for rewards, but not always for responsibility
• "Freedom" that tends to mean "no effort required"

When things get tough, people ghost. Not just the workplace—but their teams, their clients, and the commitments that make a business run.

With the newest generation often saying, "Times have changed, so get with the program," I hear you—yes, times have absolutely changed, and we do adjust. That's part of staying in business. But at the end of the day, it still comes down to one thing: common sense.

What I Wish They Knew 💬

Real freedom isn't quitting without a plan. It's building something solid enough to walk away from when you're ready. It's having options because you earned them—one steady step at a time.

I wish they'd just talked to someone, asked more questions, or even pushed back. Because while Countryside isn't perfect, we're fair. We listen. We bend when we can. We're committed to helping our people succeed if they'll only let us.

In my 25 years running Countryside Quilts, I've seen incredible loyalty from some employees who've been with us for decades. What's their secret? They communicate. When they're unhappy, they tell us. When they need flexibility, they ask for it. When they have ideas for improvement, they share them. And in return, we listen and adapt whenever possible.

The Value of Stability in a Chaotic World

The irony isn't lost on me that many young workers crave stability and security, yet walk away from it when they have it. A recent study found that 48% of younger workers worry about financial security, yet the average job tenure for workers under 30 is just 2.2 years.

What happened to building a career? To learning from mentors? To mastering a craft before moving on to the next thing?

At Countryside Quilts, we've built a community around the timeless craft of quilting. Our most dedicated customers—and employees—understand that mastery takes time. You don't become an expert quilter overnight. You learn, stitch by stitch, project by project, year after year. The same principle applies to building a career.

Some of our most successful team members started in entry-level positions. They learned the business from the ground up. They developed relationships with customers. They became experts in their departments. And now? They're leading teams, training new hires, and earning salaries that reflect their expertise and commitment.

Building Bridges, Not Burning Them

I understand that not every job is forever. People outgrow positions. They discover new passions. Their life circumstances change. That's all normal and healthy.

What I struggle to understand is the burning of bridges—the midnight text message, the no-show, the ghosting. Because in a community like Jefferson City, reputation matters. Our industry is smaller than you might think. Word gets around.

I've written glowing recommendations for employees who gave proper notice, even when their departure was inconvenient for us. I've welcomed back "boomerang" employees who left to try something new, then returned with valuable new perspectives. I've maintained relationships with former team members who now run their own businesses and refer customers our way.

None of that happens when someone ghosts.

The Final Stitch

Here's my message to anyone reading—whether you're looking for your first job, your next manager, or a reason to stay where you are: A quilt is only strong when every stitch holds tight. Community, loyalty, and teamwork are worth more than any quick-fix online promise.

Let's slow down, speak up, and hold our teams—and ourselves—together. That's how you build something you can truly be proud of.

Yes, times have changed. Technology has transformed how we work. Expectations have shifted. And that's okay—we adjust and evolve. But certain principles remain timeless: respect, communication, responsibility, and yes, common sense.

At Countryside Quilts, we're committed to creating a workplace where people feel valued, heard, and supported. Where loyalty goes both ways. Where we recognize that everyone, regardless of generation, wants to do meaningful work in a positive environment.

If that sounds like a place you'd like to be part of, reach out. We're always looking for people who understand that the strongest quilts—and the strongest businesses—are built one careful stitch at a time.