7 Telltale Signs an Employee is About to Quit

A high rate of staff turnover can be a big problem for a business. It can disrupt your day-to-day operations, lower productivity and impact morale in the workplace.

What's more, when people leave, you need to be ready for the various challenges that come with recruitment, such as paying to advertise vacancies, finding candidates with the skills you need and managing all the admin involved in making a new hire.

So it's certainly worth investing considerable time and effort in employee retention, a key part of which is looking out for common signs that someone is about to quit. If you're able to spot these signals, you'll be in a stronger position to engage with people early, discuss their concerns and possibly change their mind about leaving.

1. Lower engagement and productivity

In many cases, people who are making plans to leave will have little interest in impressing their current manager and delivering great results for the business, particularly if they've already received an alternative job offer. If you notice a sudden drop in an employee's engagement and productivity, it might be time for a discussion about their plans for the future.

2. Reluctance to commit to long-term projects

If a worker already has their next job lined up or is making serious plans to leave, they'll be hesitant to commit to projects that will take a long time to complete. This can be a particularly significant warning sign if the employee was once keen to get involved in long-term initiatives and collaborative tasks.

3. Increased absenteeism and lateness

When an employee suddenly starts taking lots of sick days and turning up late for work, it suggests their commitment to the job and the business has declined, which is a big warning sign that they already have one foot out the door.

4. Less involvement in team activities

Once an employee starts planning their departure from a company, or even as soon as the thought of leaving has entered their head, they're likely to feel less committed to their team than they did in the past, and therefore less interested in group activities.

5. More activity on LinkedIn

If you notice an employee becoming more active on LinkedIn - if they've updated their profile, rewritten their 'About' section and started making more comments on other companies' posts, for example - it could be a sign they're looking to build relationships with prospective future employers.

6. Avoiding the boss

People making an active effort not to come into contact with their boss could be a sign they're headed for the exit. They might feel awkward or embarrassed about the fact they want to leave, or they could be keen to avoid attempts by management to convince them to stay.

7. A negative attitude in the workplace

A negative demeanor around the workplace and lack of connection with their co-workers or the business as a whole is a strong signal that someone isn't happy in their job, and is likely to quit as soon as they get the chance.

What can you do to keep people on board?

As soon as you start to notice these signs, one of the most important things you can do is to adopt a positive attitude when communicating with the individual in question. Rather than attacking or firing accusations at the employee - which will only serve to alienate them even further - make it clear how much you appreciate them and all the hard work they've done for the business. This could lead to a conversation about what they do well and enjoy about their job, and how they can move forward in their career if they choose to stay with you.

It's also important to listen to their reasons for wanting to leave and to make them feel comfortable enough to raise their concerns without fear of being judged. A survey by Businessolver found that 92% of employees would stay in a job if their manager demonstrated more empathy, and engaged workers are 59% less likely to leave their current role.

Making a genuine effort to engage with dissatisfied workers on an emotional level, and showing an interest in them as individuals and their hopes for the future, will make a big difference to their happiness at work and the likelihood of them staying with you for the long term.