Just under a third of workers in the UK are planning to leave their current job this year, according to the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM).
The ILM's survey of 2,000 people found that most workers want to leave their job because of poor future prospects. Just over a quarter (26%) said lack of opportunity is the main reason they want a new job. And 17% said they are moving because they want more appreciation.
A quarter are so desperate to leave that their current company could do nothing to keep them on. Twenty-seven per cent of people said they wouldn’t stay where they are no matter what the company offered them.
In the last twelve months over a third of employees have been so fed-up that they have left without a new role to go to - more than a third (34%) of those who left their jobs in 2015, did so without lining up a new job.
It is the second year in a row that ILM has found lack of progression as the main reason people want to move on. However, there’s been a 5% drop in the number of people planning to leave their jobs.
Kate Cooper, head of research and policy ILM said: “The beginning of a New Year, is a natural point for people to start thinking about their future job prospects and there are many steps managers can take to respond to this. Our research indicates it is the opportunity to progress and not the desire for a bigger pay packet that is the main motivation in looking for a new job. Highlighting the progression opportunities that are available such as project leading, secondments and job shadowing will help demonstrate that there are development routes within the organisation. Ensuring staff feel part of the organisation and their achievements are recognised and appreciated will help to retain them and the talent the business needs.”
