Employee movement is increasing across major economies, with one in two US workers either exploring or seeking new roles, which is the highest rate in ten years. In the UK, 23% of employees plan to leave their jobs soon. The median private sector tenure in the US is 3.5 years, meaning half of workers have been in their current role for fewer than 42 months. Workforce specialists at Randstad identify the main causes for high turnover.

Key causes of employee turnover

• Retirement
• Low wages
• Burnout
• Toxic work environment
• Lack of recognition
• Limited growth opportunities

Organisations are now treating retention as an essential part of maintaining culture and supporting long term goals rather than simply a way to manage costs.

Global findings from Moorepay’s analysis

A study by HR firm Moorepay assessed LinkedIn profiles from more than 3,100 global companies, covering top market cap firms and major brands. It calculated median employee tenure and ranked countries, including the top fifteen firms in the UK and the US.

The results show Greek conglomerate Intracom Holdings leading globally with a median tenure of 16.8 years. ConocoPhillips heads the US ranking at 11.8 years. Pearson leads the UK with 8.7 years.

Countries with the strongest retention cluster in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. Greece, Jordan, Cyprus, Romania, Egypt and Syria make up the top six. The region also faces a continuing brain drain as younger workers emigrate, which has prompted discussion over whether the departure of skilled talent contributes to longer tenures among those who remain.

Intracom Holdings operates across IT, construction, defence electronics, telecoms and real estate. The company provides full health cover, annual health tests, learning opportunities, shuttle buses, free refreshments and subsidised meals.

“Our people are at the heart of our business success,” the firm states. “This is why their health and safety in a protected and stable environment is our primary concern, so that our employees are motivated to be productive and results-oriented, take initiatives furthering the company’s interests and to manage their personal growth with zeal and integrity.”

UK results led by Pearson

Pearson tops the UK list with an 8.7 year median tenure, although the country ranks 104th globally for top firm tenure. Three utilities and three finance firms appear in the UK top fifteen. Staff have highlighted Pearson’s healthcare provision, pension support and diversity initiatives.

Pearson really invites its people to ask why because as a company, it’s been committed to transform itself over the period of its existence, which is almost two centuries, says Zerin Karim, Technology Business Partner at Pearson.

“Women in Technology is one of the initiatives that I partner with a lot of my colleagues at Pearson as a tool to try and address this representation gap, at least to start with in Pearson, and then more broadly, externally to try and influence the wider industry.”

US leaders emphasise culture and values

The top fifteen US firms include three oil and gas companies and three telecoms companies. Verizon, which records an 8.4 year median tenure, has introduced Culture OS, a programme centred on trust, care and excellence.

“Trust, for me, is one of the biggest ways that you drive performance, that you drive empowerment in your employee base, and that you create loyalty,” says Executive VP and Chief Human Resources Officer Sam Hammock.

ConocoPhillips leads the US with a median tenure of 11.8 years. Its approach is based on its SPIRIT values which are Safety, People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Teamwork.

Training coordinator Brad Olson, who has been with the firm for more than 30 years despite a speech disorder, says: “Conoco believed in me. And they’ve supported me all these years. It’s been a great honor working for a company who rolled the dice on me.”

“Everyone has some sort of problem. Perhaps they hobble. Maybe they have a scar on their face. Maybe they have some sort of speech issue like me. Maybe they lack self-confidence. Or perhaps they don’t make a good first impression. Don’t overlook them.”