Older or younger employees? Guess who is likely to quit...

Regardless of age or gender, job security was an important factor when it came to employee satisfaction and retention, especially with the current environment where jobs have been affected by the pandemic. PHOTO | SHUTTERSTOCK

By Albert Mwazighe

More by this Author

Young employees are less willing to leave a current employer while older employees pose a higher flight risk, driven by a search for better career opportunities or a more challenging working environment with cross-functional collaboration.

According to a survey conducted by Nairobi-based online job portal, BrighterMonday, on employee satisfaction, most senior-level respondents felt they were fully proficient in their current role, but weren’t getting opportunities to advance their skill set and take on more responsibilities, and felt stuck.

Younger employees, however, were less willing to leave as they sought to gain more experience, acquire new skills and advance their careers, but also, they were least likely to recommend their employers perhaps because they are underpaid.

“Respondents with above seven years of experience need a change of environment and new challenges, where they can hone their skills further, which could be a result of career transitions triggered by the pandemic, reassessing their purpose, impact, future and rethink their career path,” they found.

Job security

Of the 1,760 surveyed, nearly 63 percent of the respondents said they earn below Ksh50,000 ($444.7), 25 percent earned between Ksh51,000 and Ksh100,000 ($453.6-$889.4), six percent between Ksh101,000 and Ksh150,000 ($898.3-$1,334), three percent between Ksh151,000 and Ksh200,000 ($1,343-$1,779) and another three percent earned over Ksh200,000 ($1,779).

The gender pay gap was persistent, with men earning more than women, highlighting a need for employers to create thorough diverse and inclusive opportunities in the workplace through policies and practices that promote gender equality.

Despite earning more, men posed a slightly higher flight risk than their female counterparts, which could mean they are in search of higher-paying and career-accelerating opportunities.

Regardless of age or gender, job security was an important factor when it came to employee satisfaction and retention, especially with the current environment where jobs have been affected by the pandemic. Employers should therefore strive to reassure their employees through transparent communication regarding their job security status.

ADVERTISEMENT