5 Reasons Why People are Leaving Their Job

Many organizations assume that employees are leaving their job because of the low salary. While this may be true, it’s not always the case.

Despite the massive lay-offs in various industries recently, there’s still a number of employees who decided to leave their jobs even before getting a replacement. While many may assume that it’s mainly salary-related, it’s actually not that simple. There are other conditions that make a high salary seem less important.

As an example, Randstad’s 2025 work monitor report revealed that a positive workplace community retains employees better than a high salary. A strong 59% of Malaysian employees will not hesitate to resign from a toxic workplace, the report stated. This number is the highest rate in the Asia Pacific region.

A toxic working environment is just one of various reasons why employees decide to leave their job. Take a closer look at the other factors below.

Lack Sense of Belonging

Employees are more likely to quit when they feel like they don’t belong at the office. The same Randstat’s report showed that employees are happier when they get positive social interaction in the workplace. 16% of employees quit their job because they didn’t have any friends at the workplace, and 33% of employees wouldn’t mind earning less salary when they have good friends at work. This highlights the importance of having an uplifting workplace culture for employee retention.

Feeling Stuck at Work

Feeling stuck at work can come from repetitive and dull responsibilities, lack of career advancement, or overwhelming workloads for a long period of time. The lack of work-life balance is also one of the strong reasons why employees feel disengaged with their work. When left unaddressed, it can easily make employees burnout and eventually decide to leave their current workplace and look for a more engaging workplace or position.

Ineffective Communication

Unfortunately, many employees believe that their opinions andand suggestions are ignored. This perception can be demotivating. Employees expect their managers and leaders to engage in two way communication—providing guidance, as well as listening to feedback. When these expectations are not met, employees are more likely to feel disconnected and eventually quit.

Micromanagement

While lack of communication can drive employees away, excessive control over employees’ work also contributes to employees' desire to quit. Micromanagement affects employees’ productivity, because it fosters a sense of distrust from their leader. They will feel too controlled and have limited creativity, increasing stress and affecting their morale. 

Inadequate Compensation

Although money is not everything, offering competitive salary and benefits is essential for retaining talents. Paying employees below the industry standards and giving unfair benefits show that the company doesn’t value their contribution. When employees feel like they are being underpaid, they will look for other places that can appreciate their skills and experiences more.

Essentially, employees won’t leave their position if their professional needs are fulfilled. It includes effective communication, uplifting work culture, an adequate control of their responsibilities, and enough appreciation from their leaders. As an employer, these aspects are critical to keep your organization’s turnover rate low and ensure your business can function properly.

This article is updated on 5 June 2025.

Next read: Tips on Writing an Effective Resignation Letter