Thirty-six per cent of employees will have left their jobs by the end of June, reveals Robert Half UK. Research from It’s time we all work happy: The secrets of the happiest companies and employees finds employees in London and the East of England are most likely to have left their roles with nearly half of Londoners (49%) and 42% of those in cities like Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough admitting they anticipate quitting their jobs in the first six months of the year. In contrast, those in the North claimed that they were the least likely to leave their roles. Overall, 73% of those in Yorkshire and the Humber, 68% of those in the North and 67% in Scotland denied having any intention to leave.

Region	Percentage likely to leave their current jobs
UK	36%
London	49%
East of England	42%
South	35%
Midlands	35%
Scotland	33%
North	32%
Yorkshire and the Humber	27%

 

Despite experiencing above average levels of happiness (71.7) and interest (71.3) in their roles, the exodus of staff is being driven by the millennial generation (born 1982 to 2002). On average, nearly half (49%) of those aged 18–34 are likely to have left their jobs, compared to a third of 35–54 year olds and a fifth (21%) of those aged over 55. This is a generation that claims feeling appreciated, being interested and having pride in the organisation that they work for as the top drivers of workplace happiness. 

The study also found that those in the technology and IT industry – which ranks above average on the happiness scale at 70.1 – are the most likely to have left their current job by the end of June. In total, over half (52%) admitted they were thinking about moving on in the first half of the year. In contrast, those in administrative or clerical roles and in the marketing and creative industries were the least likely to have moved with 71% claiming they were unlikely to consider a change. 

Profession	Percentage likely to leave their current jobs	Ranking on the happiness scale	Ranking on the interest scale
UK Average	36%	67.2	69.6
Technology / IT	52%	70.1	69.6
Legal	47%	56.1	57.7
Accounting	45%	66.8	64.9
Finance	44%	65.7	64.0
Marketing and creative	42%	70.8	71.2
Administrative	29%	70.6	70.5

“With a skills shortage continuing in the UK, skilled employees are fast becoming aware that they have multiple opportunities available to them as demand continues to grow faster than supply,” comments Phil Sheridan, senior managing director at Robert Half UK. “For today’s employees, career goals aren’t static or only reviewed annually. So for businesses looking to improve retention, efforts should be focused on proactively talking with staff about their aspirations and working to support them with their career progression. Finding opportunities for employees that engages their interest and their skills are important contributions to your employee’s happiness in their role.”