Top 10 reasons why staff leave

How many times has an employee given you a reason for resigning, only for you to discover that it wasn’t true? “I am moving interstate” is a classic – you then bump into them at an industry function where they’re attending on behalf of one of your competitors.

Employees are not always comfortable sharing the real reason for their resignation with their boss.

Unfortunately in such a candidate short market this knowledge could assist employers in pinpointing issues to be addressed, which may in turn help keep their valuable employees in the future.

As a recruitment agency we find people are more forthcoming with us as they want to ensure they get it right with their next role.

Our latest research on this topic reveals the following as the 10 most common reasons why employees are looking to change their job:

1. Seeking new opportunities, challenges & development
2. Wanting career progression
3. Looking to change career path
4. Different work environment
5. Work hours to suit changing needs
6. No future with current company
7. Salary
8. Unsuitable role
9. Location – travelling time
10. Not valued

As our research shows, a major factor in why an employee leaves is to seek new opportunities. Providing opportunities for employee personal growth and development within the company is essential. Employees want to develop their existing skills, learn new skills and broaden their experience. They want to be challenged. Being bored or feeling stale in a role often leads to a resignation.
This is closely related to career progression. Employees look for new opportunities elsewhere if they feel there is no future career path in their current company, a feeling they are “not going anywhere” or not in the direction they would like.
Work environment is also a key factor in why employees leave. This can include an unpleasant work atmosphere, poor management or a lack of employee training and support. A feeling of not fitting in with the culture of the company and the team can be a strong motivation for moving on.
A competitive salary is very important, being paid their worth according to skills and experience, however it is not one of the top reasons why people look to change jobs.

Other reasons include the role itself being unsuitable. An employee may feel they are not utilising their skills, qualifications and experience appropriately. They may have outgrown the role or simply be looking for something different.
The changing personal needs of an employee are also a factor in why they look to change jobs. As they move through their career they may require different and/or more flexible working hours or a more convenient location and look to employers that can offer this.

If you feel there may be more to a resignation than the reason given, it may be worthwhile to consider how your company shapes up on the top 10 list above. Sometimes this is more obvious than others as this person discovered: “An employee said she was leaving because her brother had died. Her brother turned up to collect her.”