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PuzzleHR conducted a survey of over 2,100 job seekers to learn why they left their jobs in 2025. Want to keep your top talent? Here’s what you need to know:

Top 3 Reasons for Quitting:

Employees most often left their jobs because they felt they had no room to grow, were underpaid, or had issues with their manager. Compared to last year, when burnout accounted for the most turnover, employees are less stressed and more worried about career stagnation.

Retention Drivers:

Employees are encouraged to stay in their roles when companies add value to their lives. The top retention drivers for 2025 were more opportunities to develop, better pay, and better work-life balance.

Essential Benefits:

We know benefits are a top driver of retention and satisfaction. We asked employees what benefits were most important to them, and they identified health insurance, paid time off, and mental health support as essentials. Other themes included more independence, job security, recognition, and better communication.

What Leaders Can Do

• Create clear career paths: Employees want to feel like they have a future at your company. Make sure each employee can see how they can advance and develop, and how this will impact their career.
• Pay fairly: If you can’t afford raises or bonuses, offer other support in the form of reimbursement opportunities, financial wellness programs, and employee discount programs.
• Train managers: We’ve heard the adage that employees leave leaders, not jobs, and it’s often true. Ensure your leaders are skilled in clear communication, delegation, handling disagreements, and emotional intelligence.
• Invest in wellness: Keep offering your essential benefits and ask employees what other programs they might appreciate, such as wellness stipends, mental health app subscriptions, or gym memberships.
• Don’t overlook anyone: Younger employees want real responsibilities, and older employees still want to grow and contribute. Your benefits package and development programs should provide opportunities for employees at any stage.

The Bottom Line

Employees feel stagnant and want to work for organizations that invest in their wellness and development. They want to grow and are willing to leave companies that overlook them. Don’t let your top performers grow stagnant.

Not sure how to create development programs? Want help training leaders? Need assistance in picking the perfect benefits package? PuzzleHR has the resources to help you retain your top talent. Contact us today to learn more.

Ready to read the full 2025 exit survey report? Click the link below to read now!

https://info.puzzlehr.com/2025-exit-survey