What Causes IT Workers to Leave
AMA's Management Review, October 1999

Retention is a problem with all types of employees, but it is especially prevalent among IT workers With 190,000 IT job openings in the United States, there are only seven candidates for every 10 positions. The IT industry turnover rate is 20 percent and climbing, causing companies' operating costs to hike.

To explore the cause of this high rate, the Hay Group, an HR management consultancy in Philadelphia, conducted a survey of 172 IT professionals who recently left their jobs. The primary reason was an inability "to get ahead without becoming managers."

The survey also found that along with career development, enjoyment of work is an important factor for people under 30. Vince Milich, a consultant in Hay's IT effectiveness practice, says, "It is surprising that technology companies are still not effectively addressing one of the key issues that causes people to change their jobs." He suggests that companies provide IT workers with clear career development plans that include paths to nonmanagement advancement, regularly attune themselves to employee concerns and address them appropriately