Why Employees Leave Their Jobs

The “Great Resignation” threatens many companies with their employees leaving to find better job prospects. In May of 2022, a new study showed that almost a fifth of UK workers have said they want or expect to leave their current job for a new employer in the next 12 months as they seek better pay, benefits, and job satisfaction. This can be devastating for businesses which is why employers need to take into consideration what employees need before they resign.

People leave their jobs for a multitude of reasons, and there are many ways a company can improve itself to help retain quality workers. This article will outline some of the biggest reasons employees are leaving their jobs and what a company can do to meet the expectations of employees to maintain a better work culture and environment for employee growth. 

Seeking Better Work-Life Balance

Now more than ever, companies need to take their employees’ personal lives into consideration when they are hiring for different positions. A healthy work-life balance for an employee will allow them to balance work or career demands with those of their personal life. This will lead to less resentment and a more positive work environment. An individual who lacks a work-life balance has more work and home obligations, works longer hours, and lacks personal time.

Acknowledging that employees are not obligated to work after they clock out is hard for many employers to follow through with. But unrealistic expectations can lead to someone finding a new position elsewhere.

Allowing workers to work from home, giving them mental health days, allowing flexibility with childcare, and not contacting them when they are on vacation or out sick are all ways employers can help create an environment where employees have a healthy work-life balance. 

Toxic Company Culture

Feeling safe and comfortable in a position is incredibly important, and some workplaces do not notice when their environment starts to become uncomfortable or “toxic” for their workers. Bullying and exclusion can be major reasons for employees to seek new positions.

A negative work culture needs to be monitored and dealt with from the top, as workers can begin to feel comfortable in the bad behaviours that are allowed. It’s important to ensure employees have an open line of confidential communication to vent their frustrations, as well as nurturing a respectful atmosphere with any negativity or harsh behaviour being addressed immediately so it cannot fester and spread. 

Better Salary

Better pay is always a huge reason for switching jobs. This is especially true with employees who have been around for years and don’t feel that their experience and work are being compensated appropriately for their level of skill.

Budgets don’t always allow for raises, but employers can always supplement that with bonuses, gift cards, thank yous and a discussion about when a raise can happen as their work is being recognized. 

Lack of Career Growth

Employees like to have the opportunity to move up in the company and grow their skills professionally. While some jobs may not have that exact opportunity, allowing for new job titles, responsibilities and pay are paramount for those go-getter employees that help keep the company profitable and productive.

Employers should continually identify which employees deserve to move up in the ranks and keep their positions fresh and with new challenges. Doing so can help to retain employees for longer. 

Feeling Undervalued

Employees who feel undervalued will show it in their work. Not recognising employee accomplishments and not giving encouragement when needed can lead to a lack of loyalty to the company, and employees will most likely begin to look for jobs that may have a better work culture of appreciation for their employees.

Employers can combat their employees feeling undervalued by implementing employee recognition schemes and by offering incentives. Praise can go a long way to helping workers feel valued in their positions, and many studies show that valued employees work harder and make their companies more money. 

Feeling Burnt Out

Employees can begin to feel incredibly burnt out when employers ask too much of them. For example, when an employee quits or gets fired and their workload is placed onto someone who already has many other obligations, that employee’s workload becomes too much.

Employers need to be very aware of how much they are asking their employees to do and if they are asking one person to do the job of two or three employees without adjusting their compensation. This will lead to burnout sooner or later, and by that time, the worker is mentally checking out as well as already looking for a better position at a different company where their hard work won’t be rewarded with more work than they can handle.

Find Quality Employees with BBU

At BBU, we know how meaningful it is to engage with your employees to build a better, more engaged workforce. We understand how to create a high-productivity workplace that creates a healthy environment for both owners and workers.

We are here to solve your recruitment problems with highly trained staff, from temporary to contract to permanent staff. We’ve been connecting staff with employers and creating ideal workspaces for 30 years.
Contact us today to see how we can get your company top-tier, quality help today!