What Makes Good Employees Quit? Part 1

Look out employers! The economy is cooking and it looks like it will continue to grow for some time into the future. What does this mean in terms of employee retention and turnover? It’s an employee’s market. They can seek employment elsewhere, pick and choose where they go, and are probably looking for a better job while they are working for you. You definitely want to hang on to good employees and give them reasons to stay. But, are you paying attention to the reasons why good employees leave?

Some Reasons Why Good Employees Quit – The Little Things Matter a Lot

While there are endless reasons why good people leave, some of the most common reasons are so simple, you might miss them. Keeping good employees isn’t rocket science. Most people want the same kinds of things that make them feel good about staying with an employer. Let’s examine more closely some of the most basic reasons why good people leave.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin had a hit song in the late 1960’s and all she was asking for was a little respect. Employees who deserve respect should be given respect. But, in today’s hustle and bustle of the workplace, things need to get done, budgets require attention, and sometimes leaders forget to give a little respect to their hard-working, committed, and honest employees. Remember, your people are your most valuable assets, so why would you not show them some respect?

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What exactly does respect mean? Respect is a behavior and it is provided in terms of how people are treated. You can show respect by thanking people for their skills, abilities and diligence. You can also make sure they get what they need to succeed in the workplace. Respect can also be quantified by how much good employees are compensated for their level of talent they bring to the workplace. If they are poorly paid but deliver great results, they will undoubtedly feel disrespected.

Respect can also mean you give them opportunities to expand their roles within the organization. Cross-training is a great way to accomplish this. By cross-training an employee in multiple areas or departments, you are showing them that you feel they are capable, smart and able to do a lot more than their job title. This can instill pride, esteem and empowerment in your team. When people don’t feel that their best is being used, they become disenfranchised, unmotivated and move on.

No Autonomy. No Trust. See You Later.

Another reason why good employees leave the organization and seek employment elsewhere is that they don’t feel independent or autonomous enough in their current place of employment and because of this, they may not feel that leadership can be trusted. If you don’t let them do what they do best, but instead micromanage them, why should they trust you?

Trust begins when a new employee is hired and is nurtured throughout their time in the workplace. It takes time to establish, build and maintain trust and only a minor incident to destroy it between employees and leaders. Trust and autonomy naturally go hand-in-hand. Constantly looking over shoulders and questioning someone’s skills or abilities is not only painfully stressful and frustrating, it shows a lack of trust.

Leaders who don’t trust their employees unknowingly create a culture of distrust, disrespect, and restriction that causes good people to want out. Who can work under such conditions? Who would want to? Anxiety, stress, disrespect, distrust. Who would be able to provide their best work in an environment like this? No one.

Attracting and keeping good employees requires trust and independence. These are adults we’re talking about here, not children who do require supervision and a more controlled atmosphere. When you trust and give people room to succeed, they usually do. They can give their best, continue to be motivated and enthusiastic about their role in the organization, and maybe become the next generation of leaders in your workplace.

Final Statements on What Makes Good Employees Quit

While there are numerous reasons why good people quit and seek employment elsewhere, some basic but important reasons include respect, autonomy, and trust. These may actually be three of the most influential reasons for employee turnover. But, hang tight, because there are many more reasons that I will discuss in my next feature article.

What Makes Good Employees Quit – Part 2
What Makes Good Employees Quit – Part 3