3 reasons employees are still jumping ship

Whether or not your company is feeling an economic recovery just yet, we’re certainly in better shape than we were a year ago, right? Not if you ask many employees.

In fact more folks are dissatisfied with three key aspects of their jobs now than they were a year ago!

That’s the finding of a new survey by staffing specialists at CareerBuilder.

Check out the three areas people are feeling worse about … and what you can do to change those attitudes (no raises required).

Area 1: Pay

So much for the “just be happy to have a job mentality!” Nearly a third (32%) of employees now say they’re displeased with the size of their paychecks. That’s up from 29% at this time last year.

What you can do about it: If the budgets aren’t there, they aren’t there. Raises may, understandably, have to remain modest this year. The best you may be able to do is show folks that the grass isn’t greener elsewhere. Check out what others in your industry, part of the country or job function are getting (or not getting) as far as salary increases in 2010. At least they’ll realize they aren’t the only ones.

Area 2: Career progress

Spinning your wheels? That’s how more than a quarter (27%) of employees feel about their careers with their company. Less than a quarter (24%) of folks felt that way a year ago.

What you can do about it: This may be the easiest ones for supervisors to correct before too much damage is done.  A little more communication goes a long way. Sit down with each of your staffers to talk about their expectations and aspirations for how their jobs will evolve at your company. Unless it’s clear that’s not going to happen, mapping out a plan (even if it can’t be put in motion next week) will help people understand the company values them.

Area 3: Work/life balance

With so much work and fewer resources to do it, it looks like that work/life balance is shifting heavier and heavier to the work side. That’s what the 22% of employees who say they’re either “dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied” with their current work/life balance. One in five felt that way a year ago.

What you can do about: Now’s the perfect time to adopt a little more flexibility, even if it’s on an informal basis.  Little league playoffs, beach weekends, graduations. There are so many family events during these months. By showing staffers a little extra flexibility, they’ll be more satisfied with their jobs and your company … and will probably be more productive to boot!