New Qualtrics Study Finds Over 50% of Leaders are Seeking New Jobs Post-Pandemic

Rhea-AI Summary

Qualtrics (Nasdaq: XM) released a study revealing that 53% of managers and directors, and 51% of executives, plan to seek new jobs within the next year, mirroring a broader trend as nearly half of the U.S. workforce considers the same. The study highlights burnout, stress, and lack of professional growth opportunities as primary reasons for job changes. With U.S. job openings at a record 9.3 million, companies must prioritize employee insights to retain talent. The study also points to gender disparities in mentoring opportunities and emphasizes the tech sector's unique priorities.

Positive

• The study reveals critical insights into employee sentiment, indicating businesses can leverage this data to improve retention.
• Qualtrics has positioned itself as a thought leader in experience management by conducting relevant and timely research.

Negative

• The high percentage of leaders seeking new jobs (53% of managers, 51% of executives) suggests potential instability within organizations, which may affect performance.
• Burnout and lack of growth opportunities indicate systemic issues that could hinder productivity and employee satisfaction.

PROVO, Utah and SEATTLE, June 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualtrics (Nasdaq: XM), the world's No. 1 Experience Management (XM) provider and creator of the XM category, today released a new study revealing that 53% of managers and directors, and 51% of executives plan to look for a new job in the next 12 months, with nearly half of the U.S. workforce planning to do the same.

The United States Department of Labor recently found that more people are leaving their jobs this year than have in the last 20 years. Many wonder why, so Qualtrics set out to find the answer. According to Qualtrics' new study, employees are looking for new jobs because they feel burnt out, stressed, and want more growth opportunities. Additionally, managers, directors, and executives are even more likely than individual contributors to say they'll leave their jobs, which could prove costly for companies. 

With job openings in the U.S. reaching a high of 9.3 million, businesses will need to rely on insights like these to make changes that will help them retain and engage their existing employees and also effectively recruit candidates looking for new opportunities. As organizations compete for top talent, companies will need to take time to understand what employees are thinking and feeling, then act on that feedback to design programs that fit best for their workforce.

Key Takeaways from Qualtrics Study:

• Burnout and stress are causing leaders to look for new jobs: More than half of managers and directors (53%) and executives (51%) say they will look for a new job in the next 12 months, while only 37% of individual contributors say the same. Burn out and high-stress jobs are two of the top reasons employees say they're making the switch.
• Growth is the top driver for new career opportunities: The number one reason employees say they are leaving is because they want more growth opportunities, which doesn't come as a surprise, considering 60% of employees say their employer didn't offer any professional development or training last year, and 64% say they were not offered networking or mentoring opportunities.
• Mentoring and training opportunities were not available to women: Seventy-two percent of women say their employers did not offer networking or mentoring opportunities during the global pandemic, compared to 55% of men. Additionally, 65% of women say they were not offered professional development and career training opportunities vs. 53% of men.
• A gap in the push for diverse leadership: Many companies are focused on diversifying leadership, but a racial and generational gap still exists, with 40% of Black respondents saying diversity in leadership matters to them when looking for a new place to work vs. 18% of white respondents. When looking for a new job, Gen Z and Millennials say diverse leadership matters more to them than Gen X and Baby Boomers (31% of Gen Z, 29% of Millennials, 18% of Gen X, and 13% of Baby Boomers).
• Tech industry has different priorities: Employees in the tech industry are some of the most likely to be looking for a new job, with 52% of respondents saying they will do so in the next 12 months (compared to 41% of retail employees and 19% of government employees). Tech employees looking for new jobs are also more likely to say they're looking for better leadership rather than higher salaries (one of the top drivers among employees in other industries). Tech employees also say it's important to feel like their work is a priority and get to know their teams before accepting a job.

"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the future of work. Every industry, employee, and leader will find experiences that are unique to their culture and workforce," said Julia Anas, Chief People Officer, Qualtrics. "The key to getting experiences right is to listen frequently and take action based on what you learn."

Qualtrics EmployeeXM
Companies who focus on understanding the hearts and minds of employees will be able to deliver differentiated experiences and keep a competitive advantage in the market. Organizations around the world use Qualtrics EmployeeXM™ to understand employee sentiment and identify which actions HR leaders and managers can take to improve the everyday experiences of their workforce.

To access the full study, please visit: https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/labor-shortage-study/.

About Qualtrics
Qualtrics, the world's No. 1 Experience Management (XM) provider and creator of the XM category, is changing the way organizations manage and improve the four core experiences of business—customer, employee, product, and brand. Over 13,500 organizations around the world are using Qualtrics to listen, understand, and take action on experience data (X-data™)—the beliefs, emotions, and intentions that tell you why things are happening, and what to do about it. The Qualtrics XM Platform™ is a system of action that helps businesses attract customers who stay longer and buy more, engage employees who build a positive culture, develop breakthrough products people love, and build a brand people are passionate about. To learn more, please visit qualtrics.com.  

Contact: press@qualtrics.com

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SOURCE Qualtrics

FAQ

What percentage of executives plan to change jobs according to Qualtrics' study?

According to the study, 51% of executives and 53% of managers and directors plan to seek new jobs within the next 12 months.

What main reasons are leading employees to look for new jobs?

The primary reasons include burnout, stress, and a desire for more growth opportunities.

How many job openings are there in the U.S. currently?

There are currently 9.3 million job openings in the U.S.

What disparities were found in the availability of mentoring opportunities?

72% of women reported a lack of networking or mentoring opportunities compared to 55% of men.

Which industry has the highest percentage of employees looking for new jobs?

The tech industry has the highest percentage, with 52% of employees planning to seek new jobs.