Employees across the globe are feeling restless about their future career goals, according to survey results from staffing firm Kelly Services. And those that are content with their current employment position are seeking greater engagement and meaning from their jobs.
The Kelly Global Workforce Index surveyed nearly 170,000 people about workforce issues that are important to them, the influences that affect their employer choices and the particular corporate attributes attractive to them. The survey spanned 30 countries, including the Americas.
Overall, 66% of respondents said they intend to look for a new job with another organization in the next year.
Among the generations surveyed, gen X workers (aged 31-48) are more likely to be thinking about resigning from their current jobs than either gen Y (19-30) or baby boomers (49-66).
The survey also found that when evaluating potential employers, the number one factor job seekers consider is corporate brand/reputation (58%) followed by location (52%). In essence, the corporate brand is becoming the employment brand, and resonates strongly with candidates as they weigh their employment options, especially for skilled professional and technical employees.
Across the generational groups, the way that individuals weigh their job choices varies as people age. Personal fulfillment/work-life balance becomes progressively more important as people mature, and is the predominant consideration among boomers. But for gen Y, when choosing to accept one job over another, the leading consideration is personal growth/advancement.
Among all generations, personal fulfillment/work-life balance and personal growth/advancement both outweigh compensation and benefits when choosing one job over another.
Yet despite this desire for personal fulfillment in the workplace, many employees aren’t experiencing it. Only 48% said their current employment provides them with a sense of ‘meaning.’ For 74% of respondents, the ability to ‘excel or develop’ is the key to having a sense of meaning in their work.
In terms of what would most likely cause workers to leave their current employer, aside from salary/benefits, 21% said lack of opportunities for advancement and 20% said poor management.