Studies reveal why good employees quit — and it’s not always about the money

We need to have a steady income source to meet our needs. While we need to keep our jobs, there are still many good employees who quit. Why?

Even the most successful and well-respected companies around the globe have had employees who quit to move to another company.

Many people assume that employees leave because they want a higher salary.

A Facebook post stating why good employees should leave was viral many years ago.

It might just be that so many people agree with it. Research done by Hogan Assessments in 2017 found out that 75% of the 1000 American employees they have talked to said that their direct manager is the “worst part of their job.”

65% of employees would prefer to have their bosses replaced, rather than receiving an increase in their salaries. Salary.com’s study found that 23% employees are looking for a new job each day.

So, it’s NotAlways about the money

Apart from problems with the boss, what are some of the most common reasons employees quit? They applied for that job before, didn’t they? Why should you give up on something you’ve always wanted?

• Being overworked — One of the top reasons good (or even the best) employees leave is because of too much workload dumped on them. And, let’s admit it, in an office environment, sometimes, when an employee shows how good they are at something — more and more work is being assigned to them.

The result? The result? Burn out. Allowing employees to breathe is one way to stop them leaving. In any job, it is vital to maintain a balance between work and personal life.

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Insufficient growth opportunities — “Where do you see yourself five years from now?” is among the most frequently asked questions during a job interview. If the employee answered the question correctly, they will most likely be looking for growth opportunities.

Employees can see growth by offering training and courses that will improve their skills. Training the employees more won’t only make them grow, it will make them better at the job, too.

Inadequacy of appreciation — Even a little child would really show more enthusiasm if their efforts are rewarded and appreciated. Raises and bonuses are good, yes, but giving a salary increase or monetary rewards aren’t the only ways to show recognition or appreciation.

Sometimes, a simple “Great job!” or “Good work!” will do. Employees can feel valued even if they receive a token of appreciation.

Insufficient confidence — Sure, employees, especially when they are fairly new, need constant guidance and supervision.

But if they have been doing the exact same thing for a while and the boss still has their back, it could lead to low self-confidence or self-esteem. Sometimes, employees can feel more trusted and confident if they are allowed to work freely.

There is no challenge — When an employee has been with the company for a long time, doing the same tasks every day, they may lose interest because the work becomes monotonous for them.

Engaging employees in a different type of work can help to rekindle their interest and help them to learn new skills.

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Office politics — Office politics is one of the reasons even the best employees quit, too. It is possible for the wrong people to be promoted in office politics, which could lead to good employees being forced to leave.

It is important to monitor the contributions of employees and watch them closely so that you can make the right decisions.

Even if the bosses know the most common reasons employees quit, they may still try to make changes to company policies to keep them happy. However, there is nothing better than open communication between the bosses and their subordinates.

Encourage employees to speak up and give their input. This will make them feel valued and independent.

When open communication is practiced at the office, the employees will also feel safe in sharing some issues with the boss — especially in revealing some issues in the workplace.

If the boss is aware of any conflict in the office, it will help to have these issues resolved quickly. This may give employees a reason for not quitting their job.

Listening to employees and getting to know them will help bosses get to know their workers better, understand what they need and possibly prevent unnecessary resignations.