Employee departures are shaped by compensation and career fairness, but also by daily leadership and workplace trust. Across surveys, quitting often clusters around stalled growth, unclear promotion paths, and pay that lags expectations. Burnout from excessive hours, limited flexibility, and overtime can also push people out, along with culture issues like toxic colleagues, bullying or harassment, and discriminatory practices. This page breaks down the most common triggers—and what leaders can do next.
Key Takeaways
- A 2024 PayScale survey revealed 28% of employees quit primarily due to low pay compared to market rates
- WorldatWork's 2023 Total Rewards Survey found 32% turnover directly linked to inadequate salary increases
- Mercer's 2024 Global Talent Trends report indicated 29% left for higher base pay offers
- In a 2023 Gallup poll, 68% of employees said they would stay longer if their manager was better at engaging them daily
- LinkedIn's 2024 Jobs on the Rise report found 55% quit due to no clear promotion paths
- SHRM 2023 Staying or Leaving survey indicated 62% left for better career opportunities elsewhere
- According to Gallup's 2023 State of the Global Workplace report, 50% of employees who voluntarily quit their jobs name their manager or supervisor as the primary reason for leaving
- A 2022 LinkedIn survey found that 43% of departing employees cited lack of recognition from managers as a key factor in their decision to quit
- SHRM's 2023 Employee Job Satisfaction report indicates 37% of quitters pointed to poor communication from leadership as the top reason
- In Glassdoor's 2023 culture analysis, 42% of employees who quit mentioned toxic colleagues as a primary factor
- Gallup's 2024 workplace culture report found 38% voluntary turnover due to lack of trust among teams
- LinkedIn 2023 culture survey indicated 45% left citing bullying or harassment
- Gallup's 2023 engagement survey found 54% of quitters cited burnout from excessive hours as the main reason
- LinkedIn's 2024 Work-Life Harmony report indicated 51% left due to no flexible scheduling options
- SHRM 2024 Work-Life survey showed 49% turnover from mandatory overtime
Most employee quits come down to pay, growth, and manager relationships, with 68% staying longer when managers engage daily.
Related reading
01 · Category
Inadequate Compensation28 stats
01
A 2024 PayScale survey revealed 28% of employees quit primarily due to low pay compared to market rates
02
WorldatWork's 2023 Total Rewards Survey found 32% turnover directly linked to inadequate salary increases
03
Mercer's 2024 Global Talent Trends report indicated 29% left for higher base pay offers
04
Salary.com's 2023 Compensation Report showed 34% quits over bonus ineligibility
05
WTW's 2024 Global Benefits Survey noted 27% attrition from poor health benefits packages
06
Payscale 2023 data revealed 31% departed seeking equity compensation
07
Glassdoor 2024 economic research found 30% cited pay inequity as top quit reason
08
SHRM 2023 benefits survey indicated 33% left due to no remote work stipends
09
Forbes 2024 pay transparency article showed 26% quits post-salary reviews
10
HBR 2023 compensation study noted 35% turnover from frozen raises
11
LinkedIn 2024 compensation trends found 29% left for better 401k matches
12
Gallup 2023 pay satisfaction poll indicated 32% dissatisfaction leading to quits
13
Indeed 2023 salary data showed 28% resigned after market salary comparisons
14
BambooHR 2024 comp analysis revealed 34% attrition from uncompetitive PTO
15
Randstad 2024 rewards survey found 30% quit over lacking performance incentives
16
Monster 2023 poll noted 31% left for superior commission structures
17
CareerBuilder 2024 data indicated 27% turnover from no cost-of-living adjustments
18
Achievers 2024 rewards report showed 33% departed due to poor variable pay
19
O.C. Tanner 2023 study found 29% quits from inadequate perks
20
Quantum Workplace 2024 survey revealed 32% left seeking better total rewards
21
Visier 2023 comp trends noted 28% attrition over pay compression
22
CIPD 2024 UK pay survey reported 34% quits from below-market wages
23
Seek 2024 Australia comp data showed 30% left for higher superannuation contributions
24
Payscale 2024 update found 35% Gen Z quits primarily for pay raises
25
WorldatWork 2024 survey indicated 31% turnover from lacking wellness benefits
26
Mercer 2023 report showed 29% departed post-comp benchmark
27
Salary.com 2024 data revealed 33% quits over no sign-on bonuses
28
WTW 2023 survey noted 27% attrition from poor retirement plans
Interpretation
Inadequate Compensation Interpretation
Across major surveys, inadequate compensation is a leading quitting driver, with 34% of employees leaving due to bonus ineligibility and roughly 28% to 32% citing low pay or insufficient salary increases, showing that pay and reward gaps consistently push people to exit.
02 · Category
Lack Of Career Growth28 stats
01
In a 2023 Gallup poll, 68% of employees said they would stay longer if their manager was better at engaging them daily
02
LinkedIn's 2024 Jobs on the Rise report found 55% quit due to no clear promotion paths
03
SHRM 2023 Staying or Leaving survey indicated 62% left for better career opportunities elsewhere
04
Forbes 2024 retention study showed 59% turnover from stalled professional development
05
HBR 2023 analysis revealed 64% of millennials quit over lack of advancement prospects
06
Glassdoor 2023 data noted 57% cited limited training as a quit factor in reviews
07
Deloitte 2023 survey found 61% departed seeking skill-building opportunities
08
McKinsey 2022 report indicated 58% quits due to no internal mobility programs
09
Indeed 2024 stats showed 63% left for roles with more growth potential
10
Pew 2022 research highlighted 60% turnover among young workers for career progression
11
BambooHR 2024 report cited 56% attrition from absent mentorship programs
12
Randstad 2023 survey found 65% quit lacking personalized career plans
13
Monster 2024 poll revealed 59% departed over no skill advancement support
14
CareerBuilder 2023 data showed 62% left for better learning opportunities
15
Achievers 2023 study noted 57% turnover from development budget cuts
16
O.C. Tanner 2024 report indicated 64% quits due to unclear succession planning
17
Quantum Workplace 2023 trends found 61% left seeking leadership development
18
Visier 2024 analysis showed 58% voluntary exits for external promotions
19
CIPD 2024 survey reported 60% UK quits from poor career progression
20
Seek 2023 Australia data noted 63% attrition for advancement elsewhere
21
Gallup 2024 update confirmed 67% would quit without growth conversations
22
LinkedIn 2022 stats showed 54% Gen Z quits for skill gaps not addressed
23
SHRM 2024 data indicated 66% left due to no tuition reimbursement
24
Forbes 2023 highlighted 60% turnover from promotion biases
25
HBR 2022 study found 65% quits over stagnant roles
26
Glassdoor 2024 reviews showed 55% cited career plateaus
27
Deloitte 2024 noted 62% seeking upskilling elsewhere
28
McKinsey 2023 found 59% attrition from no job rotation
Interpretation
Lack Of Career Growth Interpretation
Across multiple surveys, the lack of career growth is a major driver of quitting, with 62% leaving in SHRM 2023 for better opportunities elsewhere and similarly 55% citing no clear promotion paths in LinkedIn 2024.
03 · Category
Poor Management30 stats
01
According to Gallup's 2023 State of the Global Workplace report, 50% of employees who voluntarily quit their jobs name their manager or supervisor as the primary reason for leaving
02
A 2022 LinkedIn survey found that 43% of departing employees cited lack of recognition from managers as a key factor in their decision to quit
03
SHRM's 2023 Employee Job Satisfaction report indicates 37% of quitters pointed to poor communication from leadership as the top reason
04
Forbes reported in 2024 that 52% of employees left due to micromanagement by supervisors, based on a survey of 5,000 workers
05
Harvard Business Review's 2021 analysis showed 48% of voluntary turnover linked to managers failing to provide clear feedback
06
Glassdoor's 2023 review data revealed 41% of ex-employees mentioned unapproachable bosses in exit interviews
07
Deloitte's 2022 Global Human Capital Trends survey noted 39% quit due to lack of managerial support during high-stress periods
08
McKinsey's 2023 Great Attrition report found 35% of quits attributed to poor leadership empathy post-pandemic
09
Indeed's 2024 Hiring Lab data showed 46% of resignations linked to supervisor favoritism
10
Pew Research Center's 2022 survey indicated 44% left jobs due to bosses not addressing workload concerns
11
BambooHR's 2023 retention report cited 42% turnover from inconsistent managerial enforcement of policies
12
Randstad's 2024 Workmonitor survey found 38% quit over managers ignoring employee input on decisions
13
Monster's 2023 poll revealed 47% departed due to lack of trust in leadership decisions
14
CareerBuilder's 2022 survey showed 40% left because managers failed to act on feedback surveys
15
Achievers' 2024 Employee Engagement report noted 45% quits from poor manager-employee relationships
16
O.C. Tanner's 2023 Global Culture Study indicated 36% turnover due to supervisory burnout not being addressed
17
Quantum Workplace's 2024 Engagement Trends report found 49% left over lack of coaching from managers
18
Visier’s 2023 Turnover Trends report showed 43% voluntary exits linked to manager performance issues
19
UK’s CIPD 2023 Resourcing and Talent Planning survey reported 39% quits from inadequate line management
20
Australia’s Seek 2024 Employer of Choice report noted 41% attrition due to poor supervisory support
21
Gallup's 2022 meta-analysis confirmed 51% of quits directly tied to immediate supervisor quality
22
LinkedIn's 2023 Workforce Report highlighted 44% leaving due to manager skill gaps in hybrid work
23
SHRM's 2024 Job Satisfaction survey found 37% cited leadership inconsistency as quit reason
24
Forbes' 2023 article on attrition stats showed 53% blamed toxic bosses
25
HBR's 2024 manager impact study indicated 47% turnover from feedback-deficient leadership
26
Glassdoor 2024 insights revealed 42% ex-employees rated managers below average in reviews
27
Deloitte 2024 trends noted 40% quits from managers not fostering inclusion
28
McKinsey 2024 attrition update found 36% linked to leadership visibility issues
29
Indeed 2023 data showed 48% resigned over unaddressed manager complaints
30
Pew 2023 follow-up survey indicated 45% left due to supervisory inflexibility
Interpretation
Poor Management Interpretation
Across these studies, poor management is consistently a top driver of exits, with about half of voluntary quitters pointing to their manager and 52% of employees reporting they left due to micromanagement.
More related reading
04 · Category
Toxic Company Culture28 stats
01
In Glassdoor's 2023 culture analysis, 42% of employees who quit mentioned toxic colleagues as a primary factor
02
Gallup's 2024 workplace culture report found 38% voluntary turnover due to lack of trust among teams
03
LinkedIn 2023 culture survey indicated 45% left citing bullying or harassment
04
SHRM 2024 inclusion report showed 40% quits from discriminatory practices
05
Forbes 2023 toxic workplace article noted 43% attrition from gossip and cliques
06
HBR 2024 psychological safety study revealed 41% departed due to fear of speaking up
07
Deloitte 2023 culture audit found 39% turnover from values misalignment
08
McKinsey 2024 belonging report indicated 44% left over exclusionary events
09
Indeed 2023 review data showed 37% quits from office politics
10
Pew 2024 workplace survey highlighted 42% young quits from disrespect
11
BambooHR 2024 culture report cited 46% attrition from siloed departments
12
Randstad 2023 employer brand survey found 40% left due to unethical leadership
13
Monster 2024 insights revealed 43% departed over blame culture
14
CareerBuilder 2023 poll noted 38% turnover from favoritism perceptions
15
Achievers 2023 recognition study showed 41% quits lacking appreciation culture
16
O.C. Tanner 2024 global study indicated 39% left for competitive toxicity
17
Quantum Workplace 2023 engagement found 45% voluntary exits from negativity
18
Visier 2024 culture metrics noted 42% attrition from poor DEI efforts
19
CIPD 2023 psychological health survey reported 40% UK quits from hostility
20
Seek 2024 culture index showed 44% Australia turnover from clashing values
21
Gallup 2023 confirmed 47% would stay if culture improved inclusion
22
LinkedIn 2024 DEI report highlighted 39% Gen Z quits for bias
23
SHRM 2023 culture survey indicated 43% left over integrity lapses
24
Forbes 2024 noted 41% turnover from passive-aggressive environments
25
HBR 2023 found 46% quits from innovation-stifling bureaucracy
26
Glassdoor 2024 culture ratings showed 38% below-average led to exits
27
Deloitte 2024 culture trends revealed 40% departed for authenticity gaps
28
McKinsey 2023 showed 42% attrition from resistance to change
Interpretation
Toxic Company Culture Interpretation
Across multiple surveys, toxic company culture is clearly driving exits, with up to 45% of employees leaving over bullying or harassment and around 40% to 42% pointing to lack of trust, toxic colleagues, or discriminatory practices.
05 · Category
Work Life Balance28 stats
01
Gallup's 2023 engagement survey found 54% of quitters cited burnout from excessive hours as the main reason
02
LinkedIn's 2024 Work-Life Harmony report indicated 51% left due to no flexible scheduling options
03
SHRM 2024 Work-Life survey showed 49% turnover from mandatory overtime
04
Forbes 2023 burnout article noted 53% quits over work encroaching on personal time
05
HBR 2024 flexibility study found 52% departed without hybrid work policies
06
Glassdoor 2023 reviews highlighted 50% citing long commutes and no remote options
07
Deloitte 2024 Wellbeing at Work report revealed 47% left due to insufficient parental leave
08
McKinsey 2023 hybrid work analysis showed 55% attrition from return-to-office mandates
09
Indeed 2024 flexibility data indicated 48% resigned over rigid schedules
10
Pew 2023 labor survey found 46% young workers quit for better hours
11
BambooHR 2023 burnout report cited 54% turnover from weekend work expectations
12
Randstad 2024 Workmonitor noted 49% left lacking mental health days
13
Monster 2024 poll revealed 51% departed due to no unlimited PTO
14
CareerBuilder 2023 survey showed 47% quits from excessive meetings
15
Achievers 2024 engagement data found 52% attrition over vacation denial
16
O.C. Tanner 2023 culture study indicated 50% left for better disconnection policies
17
Quantum Workplace 2024 trends showed 48% voluntary exits from overload
18
Visier 2023 wellbeing analysis noted 53% quits post-pandemic stress
19
CIPD 2024 flexible working survey reported 49% UK turnover from inflexibility
20
Seek 2023 Australia data found 51% attrition for work-life support
21
Gallup 2024 poll confirmed 56% would quit without flexible hours
22
LinkedIn 2023 report highlighted 50% Gen Z quits for balance issues
23
SHRM 2023 data indicated 54% left due to no sabbatical options
24
Forbes 2024 showed 47% turnover from always-on culture
25
HBR 2023 study found 55% quits over childcare support absence
26
Glassdoor 2024 noted 49% cited PTO underutilization
27
Deloitte 2023 survey revealed 52% departed for wellness programs
28
McKinsey 2024 found 50% attrition from boundary violations
Interpretation
Work Life Balance Interpretation
Across work life balance issues, the consistent story is that employees leave when their time is squeezed, with around half citing factors like burnout from excessive hours or the lack of flexibility such as no flexible schedules, mandatory overtime, or remote and hybrid options, ranging from 49% to 54%.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Min-ji Park. (2026, February 13). Why Employees Quit Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/why-employees-quit-statistics
MLA
Min-ji Park. "Why Employees Quit Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/why-employees-quit-statistics.
Chicago
Min-ji Park. 2026. "Why Employees Quit Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/why-employees-quit-statistics.
Sources & references
27 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level