Around 10 per cent of the private sector workforce changed their jobs in 2005, with most leaving for reasons other than money, a new survey from the Small Firms Association (SFA) suggests.
According to the SFA, some 199,000 people moved jobs during what was a very good year for overall employment growth.
Mobility rates among Irish workers are set to increase as economic growth continues, the association said. Based on the findings of 1,000 exit interviews, it found that the most common reason for leaving a job was a failure to get on with fellow employees and management. The SFA estimates that some 59,700 people left their jobs because they were unhappy with their colleagues or bosses.
Almost 50,000 felt their contribution was not recognised, while just under 40,000 people left their jobs because of a lack of advancement. Some 27,900 left because of their salary, while 10,000 people left because they were bored with their jobs.
"These findings show that in many instances, people leave people, not jobs," said SFA director, Pat Delaney.
Companies that compete for scarce talent only by offering more cash are vulnerable to the next offer that the employee receives, Mr Delaney added.
"Increasing wages to keep staff is like the arms race - expensive to play and impossible to win. Companies must pay the market rate but other factors are more important," he said.
