Jane Lindhe Reporter

Jane is a retail and small business writer with a special interest in emerging companies and entrepreneurs. She covered the financial services industry before moving into general business journalism and has written for The Age and The Australian Financial Review.

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Simple steps to retain staff

Published 12 October 2012 05:26, Updated 21 November 2012 06:56

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Simple steps to retain staff

The reasons for leaving a job for part-time employees vary significantly to full-timers.

Eighty per cent of job losses can be prevented by a quick-thinking, intuitive employer, according to InSync Survey’s 2012 Retention Review.

By investing time in some key factors, such as job satisfaction, pay and conditions and work relationships, employers can expect to save about $280,000 a year for every 100 employers, the research shows.

  1. The job – The main reason people leave their jobs is primarily because of the job itself. Employees often leave an organisation because of a poor job fit (either they didn’t suit a job or vice-versa). People who are well paid and have good relationships with their bosses and co-workers will leave a job if they find it isn’t personally fulfilling or doesn’t offer career and professional development opportunities.
  2. Job security still a factor – The economic environment has remained uncertain since the global financial crisis and employees’ reasons for leaving remain the same. Job security still counts and data shows getting a better offer is not usually a key reason for leaving a job.
  3. Personal life plays a big role in resignations – Personal circumstances play a major consideration for men (40 per cent) and women (47 per cent) who leave their jobs. Companies that have flexible working arrangements are being recognised as employers of choice by more employees.
  4. Gen Y place the most emphasis on career growth – The varying turnover drivers for Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomer employees reflect the differences in their career stages and life stages. While all three groups value job satisfaction, Gen Y put career opportunities and better job offers at the top of their list.
  5. Part-timers value home life but also job satisfaction – The reasons for leaving a job for part-timers vary significantly to full-time employees. With a greater focus on home life factors, half of part-time employees leave their jobs for personal reasons. Contrary to the common belief that people who work part-time let go of their career aspirations, research shows that part-timers see job satisfaction and career opportunities as a key goal in life.

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