9 Main Reasons Employees Leave: the Majority of Employees Leave Jobs for Reasons Other Than Dissatisfaction or Layoff: StatsCan Data

It’s a common misconception that employees primarily leave their jobs due to dissatisfaction or layoffs. However, a recent Statistics Canada study tells a different story, shedding light on the diverse reasons why people leave their jobs.

For HR management professionals, gaining insights into these employee decisions is essential for developing effective retention strategies and workforce planning. Let’s learn more about the StatsCan data and why people often leave their jobs.

1. Retirement

Retirement remains a significant factor in workforce attrition, taking up 2.4% of the results. As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, the Canadian workforce sees notable departures.

Over five million Canadians are expected to retire this decade, a substantial figure that accounts for roughly 13% of the population. This looming mass retirement should create a surge in job vacancies, applying significant pressure on HR management in organizations to recruit and retain talent.

 

 

2. Personal or Family Reasons

The influence of personal or familial obligations on job departure is significant. Employees often need to balance their professional commitments with personal and family responsibilities.

As work-life balance becomes an increasingly essential component of overall job satisfaction, HR management teams must prioritize flexible work arrangements and supportive policies, such as remote work, that accommodate employees’ diverse personal circumstances.

3. Own Illness or Disability

Health-related issues significantly impact the workforce. When employees deal with illness or disability, they may find it challenging to maintain their professional commitments, leading to job departure.

HR management professionals must consider comprehensive health policies and supportive measures prioritising employee well-being and providing accommodations for those dealing with health concerns.

4. Going Back to School

Many employees leave their positions to pursue further education, aspiring to gain new qualifications or change their career paths. This trend reflects a dynamic workforce where people continually seek growth and learning opportunities.

HR management professionals must recognize this drive for development and provide opportunities for continued learning within the organization. This approach can help retain talent while maintaining a culture of growth and innovation.

5. Dissatisfaction

Contrary to popular belief, job dissatisfaction ranks relatively low as a reason for leaving a job. The Statscan study revealed that just 1% of respondents left their jobs due to dissatisfaction.

This low percentage underscores the high level of employee satisfaction among Canadian workers and speaks volumes about the successful HR management practices in place that promote positive work environments. However, HR professionals must continue to strive for improvement, addressing potential areas of dissatisfaction proactively.

6. Permanent Layoff

Permanent layoffs, while impactful, represented just 6.3% of job departures in the study. While layoffs can sometimes be unavoidable, especially during economic downturns or organizational restructuring, HR management plays an essential role in minimizing these occurrences.

This involves strategic workforce planning, fiscal responsibility, and proactive communication with staff about the state of the organization.

7. Temporary Layoff

Temporary layoffs accounted for 0.3% of total job departures. The low figure suggests strong job security within the Canadian labor market.

As temporary layoffs are often linked with economic cycles and industry-specific downturns, this small percentage reflects the overall stability of the Canadian economy. HR management staff should be prepared to handle such situations, ensuring transparent communication and support for affected employees.

8. Other Reasons

The “Other Reasons” category in the study encompasses a wide variety of motivations not explicitly captured in the survey, adding up to 89% of the results.

This category could include reasons such as:

• Career breaks
• Long-term travel
• A desire for a career change

As such, HR management professionals should maintain open communication with employees to understand and address their motivations and concerns.

9. Never Worked or Have Not Worked in the Last Year

Some respondents fell into this category, which may include people who have taken a career break or are still in the process of entering the workforce.

These people represent a unique segment of the labor market. From the HR management perspective, these potential staff members might bring fresh perspectives or new talents to the organization.

Employers can tap into this potential by creating inclusive hiring policies and offering programs to support people reentering the workforce or starting their careers.

The Role of HR Management in Retaining Employees

HR management plays an essential role in employee retention. HR can implement policies and initiatives that directly address these concerns by understanding why employees leave.

For example, if employees leave to further their education, HR could implement professional development programs or tuition reimbursement policies.

When personal or family reasons are the cause, HR might consider flexible work arrangements or supportive family leave policies.

By actively addressing these issues, HR shows an understanding of employees’ needs, fostering an environment that encourages retention.

The Impact of Labor Shortages on HR Management

Canada’s current labor shortages present both challenges and opportunities for HR management. On the one hand, the lack of workers increases the competition for talent, necessitating more aggressive recruitment and retention strategies.

On the other hand, it presents an opportunity to innovate and explore untapped talent pools, like immigrants, recent graduates, or people reentering the workforce.

Understanding the reasons behind job departures can help HR teams strategize effectively in this challenging labor market.

 

 

The Importance of Job Satisfaction in Employee Retention

While job dissatisfaction accounted for only 1% of departures according to the study, it remains an essential area of focus for HR management.

High job satisfaction is often linked to higher productivity, better work quality, and greater employee retention.

HR can promote job satisfaction by ensuring fair pay, providing opportunities for growth and development, recognizing employees’ achievements, and fostering a positive, inclusive work culture.

The Effect of Robust Labor Laws on Workforce Stability

Canada’s progressive labor laws contribute significantly to workforce stability and satisfaction. These laws protect domestic and foreign workers, safeguarding fair treatment and creating a secure work environment.

HR management must remain updated on these laws and ensure compliance to maintain a fair and ethical work environment.

The Socio-Economic Factors Behind Job Departures

Socioeconomic factors play a significant role in shaping the workforce. Economic stability or instability, inflation rates, cost of living, and even societal shifts can influence a person’s decision to leave a job.

For example, economic downturns may lead to increased layoffs. On the other hand, societal changes toward work-life balance can push employees to leave jobs that don’t offer flexibility.

HR management staff must stay familiar with these socioeconomic changes and adapt their practices to suit the changing needs of their employees better.

The Psychology of Job Changes

The psychology behind job changes is an interesting area to explore. People often leave jobs in search of new challenges, personal growth, or a change of scenery.

The human desire for novelty, growth, and progress drives many people to seek new opportunities, even when they’re satisfied with their current roles. For HR management, understanding this can help create opportunities within the organization that quench this desire for growth and novelty, helping to retain valuable talent.

The Future of Work and HR Management

As we look toward the future, evolving workforce trends, including remote work, the gig economy, and automation, will further shape why employees leave their jobs.

HR management must be adaptable, updating policies and practices to align with these changes. By staying ahead of these trends, HR can proactively address potential reasons for job departures and continue to promote an enjoyable and engaging work environment.

The Statistics Canada study provides valuable insights into the various reasons why employees choose to leave their jobs. As HR management professionals, understanding these factors can help us foster a more supportive and engaging work environment.

Retirement, personal or family reasons, health-related concerns, educational aspirations, and even general dissatisfaction all play a role in shaping the workforce. While layoffs contribute to job departures, they represent a relatively small percentage, reflecting the general job security within the Canadian labor market.

As Canada welcomes a significant influx of immigrants to address labor shortages, these findings offer reassurance that new candidates will find a stable job market characterized by high satisfaction levels and robust labor laws.

By promoting an environment that addresses the diverse reasons behind job departures, HR management can help improve employee retention, satisfaction, and overall organizational performance. This understanding allows us to focus on growing work environments where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay and grow.

Strong HR management aims to create an organization where employees want to stay. Not just because they have to but because they genuinely appreciate the work environment, opportunities for growth, and sense of security the company provides.

Sources and References

1. Statistics Canada, Table 14-10-0125-01 Reason for leaving job during previous year, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality (x 1,000), 2023 (See embedded chart, credit Statistics Canada.)
2. Why do people leave their jobs in Canada?, CIC News, 2023