Employer Resources

What Employees Want Most are Stability and a Good Work Culture, New Study Shows

43 % of hiring managers and human resources professionals are concerned that top workers will leave their organization this year, according to a recent CareerBuilder survey.

The survey of more than 3,000 US hiring managers and HR professionals also revealed that 34% of HR Managers saw an increase in voluntary turnover — workers leaving companies for other opportunities last year. Given these findings, it’s no wonder retention is a concern for many organizations today.

Moreover, hiring managers in information technology, financial services, manufacturing and healthcare — fields that rely on highly skilled workers — expressed the most concern about a potential exodus.

In addition to retention worries, the inability to fill open positions presents another worry for hiring managers: 26% say they have open positions for which they cannot find qualified candidates.

Retention, Compensation Among Employers' Biggest Challenges

When asked to name their biggest staffing challenges this year, survey participants gave the following answers:

  • Being able to retain top employees – 35%
  • Being able to provide competitive compensation – 35%
  • Worker burnout – 32%
  • Maintaining productivity levels – 29%
  • Being able to provide upward mobility – 26%
  • Can’t find high-skilled applicants – 24%
  • Don’t have the budget to recruit – 13%

Beyond salary increases, organizations can offer a broader range of perks and benefits to meet these challenges, says Rosemary Haefner, CareerBuilder’s Vice President of Human Resources.

Workers Weigh In

More than 7,700 workers nationwide also participated in the survey, offering insights that could help employers meet these challenges. When asked what they consider most when evaluating a potential employer, workers who participated in the survey gave the following answers:

  • Career advancement opportunities
  • Flexible schedules
  • Good work culture
  • Longevity/stability

In an attempt to be market competitive many clients have recently asked us the question “What perks can we offer new staff outside of salary?” It is the added touches that in some cases give employers the competitive edge and create incredibly loyal employees.