The Leading Edge Newsletter

1 in 5 of Your People are Actively Looking for a New Job – Do You Know Which Ones?

How stable is your workforce? Do they have one eye on the door? A sneak peak at the interim L.E.A.D. survey results for Wave 3 provides startling evidence that job seeking activity has rebounded strongly. The proportion applying for a job has increased by a massive 36% since mid-2009 – a clear sign of the turbulence created by economic conditions – and a big wake-up call for organisations to manage talent.

The L.E.A.D. survey is showing similar results for Regional Australia and New Zealand.

In the last six months (from June to November 2009)...

• 47% of employees have considered looking for a job in another organisation (12% increase since mid-2009)...
• 42% mid 2009
• 47% late 2008
• 52% in 2008
• 53% in 2006 (peak*)

• 22% of employees have actively looked for a job in another organisation – (29% increase since mid-2009)...
• 17% mid 2009
• 21% late 2008
• 24% in 2008
• 28% in 2006 (peak*)

• 15% of employees have applied for a job in another organisation – (36% increase since mid-2009)...
• 11% mid 2009
• 14% late 2008
• 13% in 2008
• 20% in 2006 (peak*)

* Peak = highest level recorded in 2006 at the height of the talent war

While slightly fewer employees have applied for a position during this period in regional areas, the survey results show similar increases in job seeking activity.

• Australia Metro vs Australia Regional
• Considered looking - 46% v 45%
• Actively looked - 22% v 19%
• Applied - 15% v 13%

New Zealand employees, are showing similar job seeking activity, although the number who say they are considering looking around, is noticeably higher than Australian employees.

• Australia vs New Zealand
• Considered looking - 46% v 55%
• Actively looked - 21% v 23%
• Applied - 14% v 15%

So what are you doing to manage the one in five people in your team that are planning to jump ship as soon as they can? Or the nearly half that are considering looking, perhaps even during work time? What strategies do you have in place to encourage the team to look inwardly rather than outwardly for their next career move?

Remember 87% of employees would prefer to develop their careers with their current organisation, yet only 64% believe that this is possible.

So how can you reassure them that their future lies within rather than beyond the organisation?

1. Identify who the key people in your organisation are – get to know them… very well!
2. Meet with them, and reassure them about their value to the organisation and their future with you.
3. Talk to them – find out what’s on their mind and where things can be improved or changed.
4. Develop strategies with them and implement plans together to address issues that if left unchecked might be the reason for them to leave.
5. Monitor progress and be flexible enough to make changes as needed.

As the situation returns to a more normal state of affairs, talented people will be much sought after as organisations seek to rebuild and get themselves back on track – will you have the team to make this happen?

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