Why good employees leave

Top talent is essential to the success and sustainability of any organization. Even in the best of places, it’s not uncommon for highly skilled and valuable employees to leave a job. In this week’s blog, we at Career Recruiters Inc., want to share our insights on why good employees decide to test the job market.

They’ve become stagnant

Exceptionally talented individuals are often driven by a strong desire to learn and grow in their careers. If they feel stuck in a role or feel like they have hit a plateau, they can become disengaged.  Without challenges and opportunities for growth, they can struggle to find fulfillment and motivation in their current role. 

Faced with stagnant environments, these individuals experience a sense of stifled potential and dissatisfaction. When they don’t get the necessary experience or expertise to progress within the company or even the industry, they become stagnant in both skills and knowledge.

Knowing that this will ultimately have an impact on long-term career prospects,  they are prompted to seek out new opportunities, specifically in environments that can motivate them to perform at their best.

They don't know what’s holding them back

Sometimes it can seem like promotions are determined by unwritten rules. Trying to get ahead at work can be difficult when the criteria for advancement are unclear.  When an employee is left to their own devices interpreting vague feedback and finding a way to progress in their careers, this lack of transparency can leave them feeling uncertain about what they need to do to get promoted.

As a result, they feel stuck in their current roles, unsure of underlying issues or what specific aspects they need to work on to move forward.  This can lead to feelings of frustration and disengagement as they may not understand why they are not progressing despite their efforts.

Talented employees who feel that their contributions are undervalued or that their potential is not being recognized may become frustrated and decide to leave. 

The workload is unsustainable 

A consistently high workload without adequate support or resources can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Even the most talented and dedicated employee cannot thrive under conditions where the demands outweigh their capacity to manage them effectively.

In the long run, the strain of excessive workload is unsustainable especially when it consistently affects professional performance and personal well-being.  When employees feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and unable to maintain a healthy work-life balance, they eventually decide to seek better opportunities that offer a healthier work environment and a more sustainable workload.

Milestones outside of work that motivate change

Sometimes it’s not what happens at work that determines whether or not an employee decides to look for a new opportunity. What goes on in someone’s personal life can have a significant impact on career choices and can be a powerful motivator for change. 

Milestones such as reaching a certain age, a major life event or even a career milestone like celebrating a decade in a company can all prompt employees to think about where they are, where they want to be and how they want to move forward in the future.

These circumstances and moments of reflection can prompt them to re-evaluate priorities and search for work that aligns with their evolving lives and career goals.