Nearly half (44 per cent) of U.S. employees are actively looking for a new job, while 52 per cent are open to leaving their current employer employer, research from Aon Hewitt has found.
“Encouraged by low unemployment rates and frustrated with lacklustre wage increases, many U.S. workers are looking for new and better jobs,” said Ray Baumruk, employee research leader at Aon Hewitt, in a release. “In many cases, employees are being selective about the kinds of companies they work for — favouring those that offer exceptional experiences and benefits that align with their personal values.”
Read: 40% of employees would return to a former employer: survey
The survey, which included responses from more than 2,000 employees, found the top characteristics that differentiate workplaces are:
- Above average pay (62 per cent);
- Above average benefits (61 per cent);
- Fun place to work (58 per cent);
- Flexible work environment (57 per cent); and
- Strong fit with the employee’s values (56 per cent)
Read: U.S. salary increases to hold steady in 2017: survey
According to the survey, employees who find their workplace communication open and honest are almost 15 times more likely to be engaged than their peers. And staff who feel encouraged to share their ideas are nearly 11 times more likely to feel engaged.
“To keep and attract the highest performers, employers need an authentic employee value proposition that sets them apart from competitors,” Baumruk said. “Even more importantly, organizations must listen to their employees to understand and foster a culture where employees’ expectations and desires are closely aligned with the employment experience they offer.”