Top Five Reasons Employees Quit

Joe Weinlick
Posted by in Career Advice


Employees quit jobs, even good positions, for various reasons. Perhaps you need greater career advancement opportunities, better pay and a nicer boss all rolled into one. Other people may simply want to spend more time with family on a flexible schedule.

When the economy rebounds, quitting a job may be a more realistic option when a lot of companies hire more help to meet demand. Timing is everything, so make sure you have another position lined up before you leave your present job. Whatever your situation, examine the top five reasons employees quit a job.

1. Lack of Raises

Starting salaries are great when you land a job with a decent company. However, you may look down the road and discover your salary after five years could be less rosy than with another company. Employees quit jobs, sometimes en masse, when the pay scale doesn't match with experience, expertise and cost of living. If your company fails to provide minimum raises for time served, you may want to explore other opportunities.

2. No Promotions

You might simply put career advancement ahead of your current job's security to find a more challenging position, with more responsibility, and that has a more attractive benefits package. Employees quit when they see the grass is greener on the other side with respect to promotions that could lead to upper management or the C-suite. You may even want to get relevant job experience faster in order to start your own company down the road.

3. Work-Life Balance

Sometimes, employees quit due to too much overtime. Working hard to get a better job is great, plus the extra money and opportunities are nice perks. However, some workers simply get burned out working 60 to 80 hours per week. Some people want to spend more time with their children, while others simply need a break. Reducing an employee's free time can demoralize someone quickly.

4. Lack of Flexibility

Similar to working too many hours per week, sometimes you want more time to spend at home. Thanks to mobile technology and the Internet, many employees work at home as a telecommuter. Companies that don't allow flexible work arrangements may lose a lot of workers to a firm that does offer those types of positions.

5. No Teamwork

You might feel alone at work when it seems you pick up other people's slack. Plus, miscommunication among co-workers may occur regularly when there's no teamwork concept. Instead of looking out for the bottom line or the goal, everyone is too consumed with their own personality. Good teamwork helps motivate employees to do well at work, and a lack of synergy may make your current position more trouble than it's worth.

Employees quit for a variety of reasons, but each specific reason boils down to overall job dissatisfaction. You deserve to be happy at your job, so seek out the best career path and company that suits your needs so you can find fulfillment at work.


Photo courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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  • Martine R.
    Martine R.

    Well thought!

  • Randy M.
    Randy M.

    Always address these 5 issues with the boss

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Bradly that is SO true. Many people just hide in their cubicles hoping that no one will notice them. Speaking up and getting the situation resolved is the best way to proceed. Speaking up with respect that is! And it is certainly true that the grass is not greener on the other side - assuming that you can get to the other side. Work is all what you make it. If you go to work with the attitude of "I hate my job", then you will hate it and have a long day. It might be hard to find that dream job but not impossible. So - yes it is true that the grass is not always greener. It's like peeling an onion: it may look perfect on the outside until you start peeling it. Same with a job. The interviewer may make the position sound like it was sent from heaven but once you start working, you will see the real truth. Best of luck!

  • Bradly D.
    Bradly D.

    Most need to speak up and address the situation. Work is what it is, "the grass is not always greener on the other side". Making it to work in a good state of mind and enjoying what you do helps tremendously! The hard part is finding that position that puts you in that state of mind.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Randy so true and they will probably continue - sad to say. It will be interesting to see how the workplace changes over time and see if any of these issues drop off the radar.

  • Randy M.
    Randy M.

    It amazing because all 5 of these issues have been going on forever.

  • Dawn Follin
    Dawn Follin

    I guess that's why I'm looking for another job. Every reason in this article applies to my job right now.

  • Patricia Stirn
    Patricia Stirn

    Maslow: Your ladder doesn't look like my ladder.

  • Kathy T.
    Kathy T.

    Great article...it truly puts things in perspective for me.

  • Walter McCathern
    Walter McCathern

    I got to say that is honest truth.

  • veera p.
    veera p.

    Good knowledge about the subject

  • Melissa  H.
    Melissa H.

    I would highly agree

  • Dave T.
    Dave T.

    Correct , all of the above .

  • fae barrett
    fae barrett

    Most people quit jobs because most employers no longer value or appreciates their employees . There are a lot of good hardworking people that go over and beyond their duties to help their employer. But the employer abuse, misused, and manipulates their good employees just for their business gain . I do not feel it is acceptable behavior. I know this happens on a regular basis because this has happened to me multiple times

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Cal so very true that most people leave a job because of the management. Managers today are not like managers of the past. Many of them got their positions through someone that they knew, even if they were not qualified to be managers. It is unfortunate to be sure. Thanks for the insight into the book!

  • CAL WALTON
    CAL WALTON

    Book for Managers to consider; Listen Up Leader! Pay Attention, Improve and Guide by David Cottrell.

  • CAL WALTON
    CAL WALTON

    Employees generally don't leave employers. Employees generally leave Managers or Management. Adequately and frequently trained Managers know how to manage various situations in the work environment. With improved management skills most managers will earn the respect and confidence of employees and develop a healthier and more productive work environment.

  • Franklin Williams
    Franklin Williams

    I like to say that is the truth. Lots of good people's quick a because lack of respect on the job, on how to talk to there employee and that's why peoples quick good jobs.

  • R F.
    R F.

    @Kymberly Svoboda - I have friends/acquaintances that used to work at family owned companies. If the problem employee is a family member, they NEVER EVER do any thing. If they are really out of line, the only recourse you have is a lawsuit.

  • Kymberly Svoboda
    Kymberly Svoboda

    I recently quit my job because my manager called me a f- ing b word. But I'm the one out of a job the owner can't fire his family no recourse or punishment for him. I'm out of work. 4 years of loyalty and hard work. Down the drain.

  • Kenneth S.
    Kenneth S.

    @Tracy No offense, but at this point in U.S. business culture, the HR function is strictly as a litigation shield. You may THINK that people aren't taking charge of their own career development, but what you don't realize is that management above that person micromanages, plays favorites, acts unprofessionally, thwarts career aspirations due to feeling threatened etc. etc. etc.. Everyone on the ground knows that HR is NOT there to help you, and rarely knows anything about what really goes on day to day.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Richard so very sorry you had to go through that. So glad that you left though after all of those childish pranks. Not a company that you want to work for. But I caution - do not badmouth this company. The world is really small now where everyone knows everyone else - especially in the HR world. You can simply let the next company know that you left this previous company because they did not treat their employees with dignity nor respect - but put this in your own words. That you want to work for a company that values you as an individual and as an employee. We wish you all the best and thanks for sharing.

  • Richard W.
    Richard W.

    @Tracy H. Your statement is true to a point ownership is and important factor however getting around the Good Ole Boy Political Scheme of things in and office environment is not easily overcome. I found that when things were presented to HR that were directly related to this Political incorrect way of thinking (Turning the lights off on folks in the restroom, Snide Remarks, Fat Jokes, Old person Jokes) HR listened as if completely understanding (or at least the appearance of) Then when they did the so called investigation things got worse, comments from management/lead about not being a team player, paper being thrown, gum in the door lock of my vehicle. See HR thinks they got it all covered but just because it is written down on paper THOU SHALL NOT cant stop this type of childishness so leaving was the only option.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Tracy thank you for your insight. So very true that many job seekers as well as employees don't take ownership of their personal or career growth. They are always waiting for someone to tell them what to next instead of taking the bull by the horns and taking that first step forward. Thank you.

  • Tracy  H.
    Tracy H.

    As an HR Manager I would have to disagree with this article. While all these things may be factors, but what about lack of ownership or personal/career growth. You don't need a promotion to accomplish this

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