New report highlights consequences of letting employees' careers stagnant
The lack of opportunities has emerged as the top barrier to advancement, according to a new report, which highlighted how career progression is becoming a real deal-breaker for employees.
The report, released by ADP, surveyed nearly 38,000 workers globally to find that 19% of employees blame lack of opportunity for not getting ahead in their careers.
And lack of advancement raises risks for employers' retention plans, according to the report, which found 34% of employees who can't find an opportunity to advance at their current employers are actively looking or interviewing for a new job.
It should come as no surprise to managers that ambitious employees are more likely to be looking for new opportunities, the report read.
Impact of career barriers
Impact goes beyond retention, as the report warned that workers who feel that they need to change employers to get ahead were 2.6 times less likely to consider themselves highly productive.
The workplace impact of limited career visibility isn't just employee disengagement – it's lost productivity, diminished innovation, and higher turnover, said Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP, in a statement.
Making employees stay
However, employers who are able to offer career advancement will likely be rewarded with a more loyal workforce, according to the report.
For people who are keen on landing more responsibility or pay, that ambition influences other decisions, the report read.
Workers who saw ways to advance in their current job cited that opportunity as their top reason for sticking with their employer.
In fact, the report found that opportunities for advancement ranked above other factors that can make employees stay, such as flexibility, training and skills development, and even bonus pay.
Singapore's top career barrier
In Singapore, the top barrier to career progression is the lack of support (12%), such as mentors or career champions.
In countries like Singapore, career growth often depends on having a committed career champion who can unlock opportunities and provide valuable guidance, said Jessica Zhang, Senior Vice President of ADP APAC, in a statement.
According to Zhang, the absence of support for employees may cause them to lose momentum in the workplace.
Even when leadership roles, new responsibilities, or upskilling options are available, highly engaged employees may lose momentum without the right support. To bridge this gap, employers should cultivate a strong culture of mentorship, turning career aspirations into visible and actionable opportunities.
Clear career paths needed
The report underscored the importance of highlighting career development offerings to employees.
It's possible that many workers who feel they have no opportunity to advance simply lack visibility into what's available, the report read.
It noted that some employees' desired path might be upward to higher ranks, while others want lateral growth with new responsibilities.
Organisations that design clear, equitable career paths don't just retain talent – they also increase their ability to unlock the full productive potential of their employees, Richardson said.
https://www.hcamag.com/au/news/general/lack-of-opportunities-seen-as-biggest-career-growth-barrier/552440
