Question

This is why your employees are leaving

As another resignation letter is slid across your desk, you can’t help but wonder if this is becoming an epidemic. Employees leave; people move on. This is an aspect of business that managers should anticipate. People have their own lives outside of the walls of your building, and sometimes those lives will pull them in multiple directions, leading them away. Yet if workers seem to be moving on in their droves, you may begin to wonder if there’s something amiss. Why are people leaving?

They are underpaid

Though it should probably be self-evident, if an employee isn’t being compensated fairly, they will eventually move on. If salary isn’t reviewed regularly, the employee will eventually become dissatisfied with their compensation. Moreover, if you know deep down that your employee’s skills are worth more than they are asking for, you should adjust their compensation. A contributing factor to gender and ethnic pay gaps can sometimes be that employees from marginalised communities are more likely to lowball during negotiations. Sitting idly by and availing of skills at below-market prices is a ticking time bomb. In the age of Glassdoor and increased calls for salary transparency, it’s only a matter of time before employees find out. Either you should correct remuneration or provide other rewards in lieu of payment.

They are unmotivated

Frederick Herzberg was an American psychologist hailed as one of the most influential thinkers in business management. He is most well known for his Two Factor Theory, which breaks down the facets of working life that contribute to an enriching working experience in terms of ‘hygiene’ and ‘motivation’. Things that create hygiene don’t provide any real motivation, but their absence will quickly demotivate employees. A fair salary and good conditions are among them. These factors are essential to keeping employees satisfied, but that alone won’t be enough. As Herzberg puts it in a 1973 interview with the BBC: “I’m a human being. I want to do something. I just don’t want to avoid pain my entire life. I want to show what I can do. I want to, in the sense psychologically, grow. I want to end my life by saying not that I vegetated, but I am more than I was before, and that can only be measured in what you’ve done.” We spend more of our lives at work than we do anywhere else, so the sense of purpose that is needed for a happy human existence is needed in the world of work, too. Even if a workplace is comfortable, it won’t necessarily present opportunities for an employee to express their true potential. Do your employees have opportunities to achieve? What do they actually get to do? Have they been given learning opportunities? Have you helped them achieve any of their personal goals? Your employees won’t necessarily quit immediately if the answer to the above questions is no. But they definitely won’t give you their all, and they’ll probably be quick to take a new opportunity when it arises.

If an employee isn’t being compensated fairly, they will eventually move on.” Critically discuss whether you agree or disagree with the above statement ?

Answer 1

If an employee isn’t being compensated fairly, they will eventually move on. Yes, I agree with this statement.

Employees quit their jobs due to many reasons, it may be job security, lack of opportunity, bad management, excessive/too little workload, financial stability and so on. As the turnover reasons vary from person to person, the employer must study their employees' behavior and take necessary steps before there is high turnover.

Reasons behind the employees turnover are trending over the years. Earlier the reason for job changing was high salary, people preferred to work in a company which provides them high salary. There was a time, when people were giving importance to job security, environment and benefits. But now people are changing jobs because of getting better opportunities that provide them a good career, a more supportive culture and continuous motivation to make themselves more creative.

If employees are not satisfied due to any reason, they will start to move on. So, it is high time for the employer to recognize their work, pay them fairly and invest in them before they decide to leave. Employees are the pillar of an organization, motivate them to achieve their target, support them with all necessary facilities, like train them, enroll them in various short term professional courses, inspire them to attain various in-house and out-station meetings, pay them what they deserve, and finally the most important factor to hold the employees is appreciate them for their hard work. If every possible benefit is provided along with fair pay, then the employees will definitely think twice before taking final decision to leave.