NEW YORK—A new survey by The Conference Board found one in 10 surveyed intend to leave their organizations in the next six months, citing better pay (45%), career advancement (39%) and the ability to work from anywhere (28%) as top reasons for leaving.
Millennials left or plan to leave their jobs at nearly three times the rate of baby boomers. Retirement was cited as the top reason Baby Boomers left or intend to leave their jobs in the next six months (36%). Women cite a new supervisor/manager as the reason for leaving their position at nearly two times the rate of men.
NACS Daily reported that when workers leave their jobs, they’re not just resigning because of their pay, benefits and potential to grow, they also take note of how their coworkers feel about the culture of the work environment. A LinkedIn poll that found that of more than 21,000 LinkedIn members, 59% said a colleague’s departure had led them to consider quitting as well.
Eighty-four percent of millennials say an employer’s development and training offerings are an important consideration when accepting a new job, according to a survey conducted by the American Staffing Association. However, despite the high level of importance Americans place on their employer’s ability to develop and train them, only 39% of all respondents say that their current employer is helping them improve their current skills or gain new skills to do their job better.
“For employers looking for an edge in 2022, investing in training and development could make the difference in competing in the war for talent,” said Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer at the American Staffing Association. “Employees are looking to employers to provide the job training they need to elevate their careers. During the Great Resignation, if an employer is not willing to train and upskill its workforce, those employees may begin to look for an employer that will.”
The survey also found that decreasing engagement levels is affecting more workers—especially women (26%), individual contributors (31%) and millennials (28%). Nearly a quarter (24%) of workers report decreased levels of engagement. That’s an increase from 19% in August 2021 and 15% in May 2021, demonstrating a steady decline in engagement levels over the past eight months.
“With one in four workers suffering decreased levels of engagement, fighting the burnout battle will be a defining challenge for businesses in 2022,” said Robin Erickson, vice president, human capital, The Conference Board. “This challenge is made even greater by today’s tight labor market, a time of historic quit rates and plentiful job opportunities. Companies will need to prioritize building and sustaining a strong culture, offering flexibility where possible, and ensuring opportunities for growth and development to attract—and retain—the best and brightest.”
When it comes to mental health, 54% of women self-reported their mental health declined during the pandemic compared to 41% of men. Millennials and Gen X report a deterioration of their mental health more than baby boomers. Half of individual contributors said that they are experiencing a deterioration of their mental health compared with 38% of CEOs.
The pandemic has increased anxiety and tension for everyone, especially those on the frontlines. NACS Magazine dove into this serious topic in “Mental Health in the Workplace” in the September 2021 issue.