UK employees reveal top reasons for leaving

One in five say they’re unhappy and quitting

UK employees reveal top reasons for leaving
Poor management practices are pushing one in five employees in the UK to seek new job opportunities – an improvement from 2017, where one in four were doing the same.

However, one in four remain unsatisfied with their current roles, according to an annual sentiment poll of the UK workforce by human resources firm Investors in People (IIP).

Of the 2,000 professionals polled, 49% cited ongoing dissatisfaction with poor management as the top reason for leaving, while 44% of employees would be happier with a small pay rise. On the other hand, 31% of employees would rather have flexible work arrangements over a 3% pay increment.

“In a year where unemployment has reached its lowest level since 1975, but wages have stagnated, the improvements to the labour market have failed to translate to the pockets of UK workers,” said Paul Devoy, CEO of IIP.

“With 49% of workers citing poor management as the main reason they're considering looking for a new job next year, management strategies must evolve to meet the demands of employees if organisations are to retain staff.”

The study also found that some employees (29%) are unhappy at work as they feel undervalued in their current roles.

In 2017, pay was the biggest driver of employee attrition, with 51% of workers choosing to move to find a better pay check elsewhere. Poor management came in second with 42% of the votes.


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