A new Harvard study reveals that the primary reason employees quit their jobs is not due to low pay or poor benefits, but rather a lack of career growth opportunities. The study, which was conducted by researchers from Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education, found that employees who leave their jobs are primarily driven by a desire for greater progress in their careers and lives.
While the wave of resignations has slowed, the trend hasn't disappeared. In October 2024 alone, 3.3 million U.S. workers quit. Low pay, long hours, and lackluster benefits are often blamed for employees' departure. But according to a new study by Harvard researchers, high staff turnover is actually being driven by something a lot harder to fix: a lack of career growth opportunities.
The study found that employees who quit their jobs mainly do so because they aren't making the progress they seek in their careers and lives. This research is presented in a new book co-authored by Michael B. Horn, a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; Ethan Bernstein, a professor at Harvard Business School; and Robert Moesta, CEO and founder of consulting firm The Re-Wired Group. Quitting and switching jobs, the authors argue, has little to do with career progression as it's traditionally defined — a steady, linear ascent up the corporate ladder. Instead, the authors say, the progress that matters is the intersection of what a person seeks in both their professional and personal life, a definition that can evolve over time. To get out of a negative environment: craving more agency, employees seek jobs that offer flexibility, predictability or autonomy. Professional or personal milestones, like finishing school or buying a home, often drive job seekers to pursue better pay, benefits or growth opportunities. Many people don't fully understand why they're quitting, even after they've handed in their notice, Horn, one of the co-authors of the research, tells From trees to decorative chickens, holiday decor could boost retailers as shoppers pull back on gifts. The decision to leave often stems from a'fight or flight' reaction to burnout, a toxic manager, or a role that feels like a dead end, Horn explains. But without understanding your deeper priorities, you risk repeating the cycle in your next job. Defining your priorities is key to finding a job that fulfills — not frustrates — you
CAREER Career Growth Employee Turnover Harvard Study Job Satisfaction Workplace
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