Take this job and shove it? Maybe in a few years...

Every worker dreams of saying "I quit," but few do, at least lately, thanks to the poor economy.

Only 1.5% of workers voluntarily quit their jobs in December 2008, down from 1.8% a year earlier and 2.1% in December 2000, according to a New York Times story, citing figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Layoff notices are how most workers are likely to leave, rather than on their own. In January, 242,000 layoffs were announced.

The high unemployment rate may also be causing workers to appreciate their jobs more and stay in a job they'd rather quit. The unemployment rate rose from 7.2% in December to 7.6% in January.