Promotion 'key issue' for workers

Staff seek to reach career heights by moving firms, the survey found

Workers would be more likely to stay with their current employer if they had better promotion prospects, according to a survey by Manpower.

Career advancement was the main reason people moved to another firm, followed by the chance to work more flexible hours, the employment agency found.

Manpower also discovered that holding onto staff was the most pressing human resources issue for employers.

It spoke to 800 workers and more than 1,700 bosses from around the UK.

'Challenges'

Being able to advance their career was given as the main reason for leaving their current company by 28% of workers.

This compares with 22% who said they switched employers for more flexible working conditions, and 17% who said they moved jobs for an increase in salary.

While retaining staff was the top issue for employers, with 72% of respondents saying it was a concern, the second biggest issue was seen to be adapting to new legislation, recognised as a worry for 71% of bosses.

"The range of human resources priorities and concerns facing employers emphasises the challenges of running a business and in particular of managing the most important asset an organisation has, its people," said Manpower's managing director Mark Cahill.

"Holding onto the best people is very much an issue for employers this year, and in a tight labour market, it has never been more important for employers to pay close attention to their retention policies."