A significant workforce shift may be on the horizon for the United Kingdom, as Culture Amp’s latest data suggests that one in five workers (20%) in the country are considering quitting their jobs in the coming year.
The study, based on ‘Commitment to Stay’ data collected from responses to 9 million questions across 1000 organisations in the UK, highlights the potential challenges British businesses could face, with rising workforce attrition threatening replacement costs ranging from £10,500 to £70,000 per employee.
The research indicates that an additional 12 percent of workers foresee leaving their current positions within the next two years, unless improvements are made to their overall employee experience.
This concerning outlook is not unique to the UK, as global trends reveal that 18 percent of American workers, 19 percent of Australians, and notably, 23 percent of Germans are also contemplating job changes in 2024.
Culture Amp’s people scientists, who analysed responses to statements like ‘I am actively looking to move on’ or ‘I see myself still working with the same company in two years’ time,’ have identified early warning signals for potential turnover.
In the UK, high levels of collaboration, staying informed about company activities, and observing the positive impact of their work are the top three factors keeping employees engaged.
What about Americans?
Diverging from the UK, Americans prioritise understanding how to request additional resources and tools, Germans value leaders who communicate a motivating vision, and Australians want to stay informed about their company’s happenings.
Globally, high performers are driven by constructive feedback, unbiased and robust performance processes, and additional support to manage and prevent stress and burnout.
Considering recruitment fees, productivity, and team impacts, Culture Amp estimates that the cost of replacing an employee ranges from 30 percent to 200 percent of their salary, with top performers at the higher end of the spectrum. With the average salary in the UK recorded at £34,963 in 2023, employers may face substantial payouts ranging from £10,500 to £70,000 per employee.
Jessica Brannigan, lead people scientist at Culture Amp, warns, “In today’s environment of tightening budgets, most companies simply cannot afford to lose this proportion of talent, especially their high-performing ones. Yet, an uncertain economy and budgetary constraints make it hard for many organisations to promise more to their employees or invest heavily in their development. By providing open and honest communication, employers can offer the collaborative opportunities, transparency, and trust that UK employees value to maintain high levels of engagement.”
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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