Study of over 250 employers in Ireland reveals the main reasons Irish people leave their jobs

Money, it seems, isn’t the most important thing as far as Irish workers are concerned.

Career progression is the main reason why the vast majority of people leave their jobs in Ireland, according to a new study by Adare Human Resource Management. In a survey of over 250 organisations representing more than 50,000 employees from across the private and public sectors carried out during June and July, it was revealed that, of the organisations recording the reasons for employees leaving, career progression was cited as a factor by two-thirds of their departing employees. Just 22% said they were leaving due to an enhanced remuneration and benefits package being offered by a new employer, while 20% left to pursue a different career path. In terms of efforts to retain their employees, increased remuneration and enhanced benefits accounted for 35% of initiatives taken to improve retention of employees, followed by increased investment in learning and development (19%), increased social events (17%) and internal promotions (15%). Almost a third of organisations, however, say they have not introduced any initiatives to improve employee retention in 2017. The survey also revealed that more than in four organisations in Ireland (26%) experienced a workplace dispute in 2016 and that a little under one in five (17%) experienced a personal injury claim. Disciplinary issues account for the single greatest cause of disputes (37%), followed by grievances (32%), while 35% of organisations that experienced a dispute in 2016 have been referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) or the Labour Court. Elsewhere, it was revealed that the reported average absence rate was 4% amongst organisations recording absences and although it accounted for a very significant proportion of payroll costs, 42% of organisations have no initiatives in place to reduce it. Of the organisations which did record their sick leave, “minor illness” (95%) is the most likely reason for short-term absence, followed by home, family, and caring responsibilities.