The Hindu Business Line : Why people leave

EMPLOYEE retention is posing a big headache to organisations, especially in the corporate sector, and more particularly in the context of global mobility of talents and skills.

Unable to resist the compelling attractions of increased and variegated job opportunities in the knowledge-based economy and the openings provided by unimagined advances in technology, employees are giving the go-by to old-time values of loyalty and steadfastness, and begin looking around for "fields fresh and pastures new" almost from the moment they accept an appointment in an organisation.

Unlike old-timers, they do not believe in the adage, "Rolling stones gather no moss". Since those belonging to the educated or professional class are sure of landing something or other without difficulty, with so much of head-hunting and poaching going on all round, they do not fear being out of a job. Sticking to the same job or the same outfit is, in fact, looked upon as the lot of unambitious and unenterprising dullards.

Job-hopping does not necessarily have to do with higher emoluments and better career prospects, although these cannot be summarily dismissed as a driving force. Who does not want more money, and wish to sport some grand title after his/her name? Even so, they do not fully explain rapid turnovers experienced in workplaces these days. Yuppies and generation-xers want to drink life to the lees and after putting by enough savings, resign even from lucrative jobs in prestigious companies and take off to do something different or novel, such as mountain climbing, white rafting or gallivanting, and then, after satiating themselves, take another job after a couple of years.

There are, of course, mundane reasons too that make people leave their current jobs. According to the finding of a survey, 88 per cent change jobs because they find the policies and practices of their existing employers repelling. This is noticeably so in old organisations which have become callous and indifferent to the human craving for recognition and self-esteem. Unless they see the writing on the wall, they are doomed to languish and disappear even if they superficially look like going strong today.

(Also read Dealing with Real Reasons why People Leave of Harvard Business School)

B. S. Raghavan

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