5 Signs Your Employee Might be Preparing to Leave
We all know that high turnover in the ranks of your employees hurts the bottom line, not to mention what it does to morale. Managers and HR professionals, take note: here are the top 5 warning signs that someone on your team is about to quit.
People quit their jobs for all sorts of reasons, but now that the economy is on the mend some companies are experiencing higher employee churn than ever. As an improving economy ignites optimism about the future, more employees consider better options and feel more comfortable about taking the leap to greener grass.
But that doesn’t mean managers and HR professionals have to stand by while the best talent moves on. There are ways to spot the signs of someone preparing to quit- and ways to take action so they choose to stay.
Here are 5 signs your employees might be preparing to leave. Scan the short list, then mull them over in your mind over the next few weeks as you observe and listen to your employees. It may just help you to spot a scenario where you can step in and initiate a reversal, thereby retaining your talent and reducing churn.
The Top 5 Signs of Someone Preparing to Quit
1. Lately, they dress differently
This is a double-edged warning sign. A change in appearance either way can mean something is up. Do you see a sudden upgrade in the way someone looks lately? That can mean they’re spending lunch hours on job interviews.
On the other hand, a sudden lack of attention to personal hygiene or wardrobe can signify an underlying dissatisfaction with their job. It may indicate they think nobody cares, or that they don’t care themselves any more. But find out before you draw any conclusions- there may be other reasons for a sudden downgrading of appearances, such as health problems or stress in their personal lives.
2. They seem disengaged at work
You all know what an engaged employee looks like: positive, creative, and full of energy and a good team player. Watch out for signs of the opposite, a disengaged employee. Disengagement exhibits itself in different ways in different people. Some will show it in their body language. Others will be more demonstrative and you’ll feel the cold shoulder when you enter a room.
Look for signs of someone generally having a bad day… only it’s every single day. This may be a sign they’re dissatisfied and preparing to leave.
3. They just got demoted or passed over for promotion
Employees who are demoted are, of course, very apt to want to find another job. Demotion is frustrating and embarrassing so it’s natural for these employees to start job hunting.
Likewise, anyone who’s been passed over for a promotion will experience not only frustration but also perhaps resentment. That can translate into some particularly bad vibes for them and everyone around them. They’ll feel discouraged at the very least, and possibly even undervalued… enough to go searching elsewhere.
4. Their productivity takes a nose dive
Here, you’re keeping an eye out for a change in productivity (for the worse). Someone who is normally conscientious about deadlines might start to let them slip if he’s got his sights on a job elsewhere. Employees who seem to be just showing up and putting in the minimal effort are demonstrating behavior that’s consistent with wanting to quit.
5. They start to clam up
Employees who have something to hide – i.e. looking for another job – tend to shut down communications. They instinctively feel that the less they reveal, the more likely it is that their secret will stay hidden.
Conclusion
As you know, the loss of just one important employee can wreck morale, disrupt processes, and wreak havoc on productivity. Learning these 5 signs may help you to spot someone who’s planning to leave, so you can intervene and perhaps find a way to keep them around longer.