Employee Retention & Attraction

Global data are collected using the Gallup World Poll, which has conducted surveys of the world’s adult population, using randomly selected samples, since 2005. The survey is administered annually in person or by telephone, covering more than 160 countries and areas since its inception. Gallup’s global wellbeing data reflect the responses of adults, aged 15 and older, who are employed for any number of hours by an employer.

The 2015 U.S. data come from Gallup’s Q¹² Client Database, Gallup Panel studies or Gallup Daily tracking. See Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report, published in 2017, for more details.

The more recent U.S. data are results for the Gallup poll of U.S. employees, based on self-administered web surveys of a random sample of adults who are aged 18 and older, working full time or part time for organizations in the United States, and members of the Gallup Panel. Gallup uses probability-based, random sampling methods to recruit its Panel members. Gallup weighted the obtained samples to correct for nonresponse. Nonresponse adjustments were made by adjusting the sample to match the national demographics of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education and region. Demographic weighting targets were based on the most recent Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older U.S. population. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

In line charts on this webpage, Gallup labels some data points with a year and month. Years that have only one data point labeled with the year and "Jan" (abbreviated for "January") reflect annual survey results. Years that have one data point labeled with a specific month besides January or that have multiple data points labeled with specific months reflect results obtained during the noted month(s). When Gallup’s survey field dates for one data point occur in more than one month, Gallup labels the data point with the ending month.

Full wording for the intent to leave survey item is as follows:To what extent are you currently looking for a different job than the one you have now?

• I am actively looking for another job.
• I am watching for opportunities, but not actively looking.
• I am not looking for another job.

Full wording for the survey item on primary reasons for leaving the previous job is in the comprehensive table called, “The Four Most Common Themes for Leaving a Job in 2022.” Results for some responses were combined. Item wording for some responses was shortened in the table showing the primary reasons U.S. employees voluntarily left their company.

Full wording for the survey item on reasons for taking the next job is as follows:Please indicate how important each of the following is to you when considering whether or not to take a job with a different organization.

• It allows me to have greater work-life balance and better personal wellbeing.
• It significantly increases my income or improves my benefits package.
• It allows me to do what I do best.
• It provides greater stability and job security.
• The organization is diverse and inclusive of all types of people.
• The company/organization has a great reputation or brand.
• It allows me to move away from a bad manager or leader.
• It gives me greater autonomy in my work.
• It provides the option to work remotely from home some of the time.
• It allows me to work for a greater cause.
• Their COVID-19 vaccine policies align with my beliefs.
• It accelerates my professional or career development.
• Their COVID-19 policies for wearing masks and social distancing align with my beliefs.
• It provides the option to fully work from home all of the time.
• The organization’s record on protecting the environment
• It allows me to work in a new location, such as a country or city that I have always wanted to work in.