<p>In the department I work in (technically I contract there), we have had a huge burst of turnover. We had had 6 of the 9 onshore employees quit (2 to other departments, 4 out of the company altogether) in the past 8 weeks. I suppose it is a sign that the economy is picking up, and people are tired of being treated badly and overworked by the somewhat manic boss (who also is, ironically, one of the people quitting).</p>
<p>Anyone else seeing a burst of turnover at their companies? Every one of these people found a new position they are going to, except the boss who is starting a company.</p>
<p>One of my clients is having a bunch of turnover. Rest are stable. Turnover is always tough when you are on contract. Have to sell the new folks on your value all over again.</p>
<p>Everyone is quitting? That is one of the signs that the labor market is picking up–and I have been waiting for it to happen (not because I need a new job, but I am interested in seeing the economy pick up). Thanks for the anecdotal evidence point.</p>
<p>Just got back from my exit interview. One of the things I noted on my form was how the dissatisfaction and high turnover with our staff influenced my decision to leave. We’ve had a huge turnover and it’s not likely to stop anytime soon thanks to our CEO.</p>
<p>We lost a lot of younger employees last year as the job market was good in Boston for our skills. We have a lot of older employees (late 20s and on up, many with families) and this company treats us well in terms of money, flexible schedule, nice office, workout facilities, other benefits. It’s not the place to work if you want to become a VP or CEO but it’s quite comfortable when you have other priorities in life.</p>
<p>Actually, in terms of keeping my contract, I think having a lot of turnover helps me get extended. No one else is left who knows what is going on But it isn’t much fun a lot of days. This group was relatively unchanged through the recession, mostly because people just couldn’t find other jobs. But now the dam has apparently burst… and I miss the ones who were my friends. Part of the life of a contractor, as I well know after almost 25 years of it. But it has been a very rapid depletion.</p>
<p>Quitting is a good sign. These people are finding better jobs somewhere else. What kind of company is it? On the other hand I am seeing a lot of lay offs. I do consulting work for pharmaceutical companies and they are all laying people off. One of them let go almost half of their scientists. Not a good sign.</p>
<p>Our office has had very few people leave. Unlike most workplaces we have been adding staff during the last few years. The company is 15 years old and several of the original employees are still there as well as many others who have been around most of that time. I have said it before but I will say it again: it’s a really great place to work and I am very,very lucky to work there.</p>
<p>We always have very high turnover at my work as it’s a very stressful environment at times, however it seems that once people reach the three year mark they usually tend to stick it out. We grow a lot and are constantly hiring, however it seems that many of the people we hire are replacing people who were relatively new and just couldn’t do the job and left. It’s a never ending cycle. Very good benefits package. We start with four weeks vacation, can buy an extra week each year, at three years you are fully vested in your 401k and in your pension, at four years (or maybe it’s five) you get another week of vacation. I’ve been there five and a half years and have six weeks vacation currently. After a year you can put in to work from home if you want to, and once someone works from home they usually stay a very very long time. The telecommuters have the lowest turnover rate by far of the company I believe.</p>
<p>I just changed jobs in November, and my closest friend at my former employer left for a new job in January. The department (43 people) also lost 2 employees last June, another excellent employee last August, and a crappy employee quit shortly after me with only 2 days notice. </p>
<p>In my case I left due to a dysfunctional department, a boss who should have retired years ago, and the low pay scale. They can’t fix the low pay because I worked for a public school system, but they really need to force the head of the department out and hire someone who is more dedicated, more professional and more tech-savvy.</p>
<p>I think it’s a good sign. I’ve been contracting/consulting full time for 2 years after a massive layoff, but looking for full time employee position since early 2009. I had 3 offers in 2 days in January. People did not move from 2008 until now…too much fear and nothing available, now companies are having to add back some of the positions that were eliminated and people are feeling more comfortable making a jump. I don’t think the number of “new positions” is significant but you can definitely see and feel the uptick. </p>
<p>I also think it’s still a good market for contract positions, even higher paying positions, as companies are still very cautious about approving funds for new employees. The company I’m now with tends to hire more from the contracting “pool” than from outside. Contractors are a proven employee with little risk and no up-to-speed time. I didn’t love being a contractor but I certainly didn’t “hate it”…if anything it made me appreciate the little benefits alot more than I ever did! I’m in a place where unemployment is still above 10% so yes, I see people “quitting” and moving to different jobs a good sign.</p>
<p>Interesting thread. I’d like to know the industries and general location areas of the above posts. My state still has “official” unemployment at ~10-12%, no one is hiring, and the remaining people have had about all they can take with the increased work load, no pay increases, huge health care increases etc. I’d say morale is about as low as I’ve ever seen in 25 years.</p>
<p>I also think that some people have gotten back to even with their retirement portfolios–maybe enough to feel comfortable to think again about retirement. That should make for more movement in the workplace.</p>
<p>Large electronics retailer, located in the midwest. That might be enough to give it away This department is in IT, a technical infrastructure area.</p>
<p>Anyone want to hire my son? 23 yo, recent college graduate. Extremely conscientious. (Even went to work during all those weeks that schools and offices were closed due to snow.) Economics major. NYC area. His downside in finding a job is that most entry level positions are taken away as an internship position, and he didn’t do the internship route. So he has a (boring) part time job instead.</p>
But it isn’t much fun a lot of days. This group was relatively unchanged through the recession, mostly because people just couldn’t find other jobs. But now the dam has apparently burst… and I miss the ones who were my friends. Part of the life of a contractor, as I well know after almost 25 years of it. But it has been a very rapid depletion.</p>