5 Signs Your Employee Is About To Quit

They seem so happy – chatting in the break room, volunteering for projects, contributing to the quarterly newsletter. But then comes the dreaded email: the 2 week notice. How did you not see it coming? Zenefits surveyed 600 business owners to find out the top signs that an employee is about to quit.

According to our Employee Turnover Survey Research, 25% of employers expect their employees to stay on the job for at least 3-5 years, but that is not always the case. In addition, employers cited the biggest problem with employee turnover is negative impact to the business – 24% cited delays to customer projects and customer service as the top headache of losing a good employee.

So, how can you head off a potential resignation? Here are some things to look out for early on:

1. Performance Decline

60% of our respondents cited a decline in performance as the top reason an employee will probably leave. Reasons for this could include not caring about the outcome of a project, reduced risk of fallout from poor work performance, and just not caring anymore.

2. Unusual social behavior

The small business owners we surveyed mentioned an increase in negative social behaviors as a factor over 45% of the time. Behaviors mentioned included gossip and attitude shifts. Paying attention to whispering and eye rolls could help you address problems before it results in a lost employee.

3. Absenteeism

From using available vacation time to calling in sick, increase time out of the office is cited as a sign that an employee may have one foot out of the door. 51% of our respondents noted time out of the office increases as a precursor to an employee exiting.

4. Tardiness

Do you have an employee who seems to suddenly not care about the clock? It could be a sign that they are gearing up to leave. 47% of small business owners surveyed cited increased lateness as a precursor to giving notice.

5. Odd behaviors

Our survey participants cited several other behaviors that they have observed leading to an employee exit. Several cited new illnesses, an increase in private cell conversations, and sudden lack of communication as signs. Additional signs our small business hiring managers and employers noted that may seem positive but could lead to an employee having their head elsewhere were an increased interest in learning new tech advances, and wanting to travel less for business.

If you are wondering if your best and brightest might be planning their way out, this list may help you determine where their head is at. Hopefully, you can use this list to help turn the tide in your favor before they pack up their desk and leave you for good!