08 May Etc.: What Makes Women Leave a Job—or Not?

Feeling underappreciated isn’t necessarily grounds for changing jobs. At least that’s one of the insights from a survey conducted in November 2023 by the Diversity Woman Network, a membership community for women leaders.

When asked to name a negative aspect of their current job,

• 42 percent of women leaders said they wanted to earn a better salary,

• 16 percent said they were not feeling valued or appreciated, and

• 11 percent said they felt burned out.

Yet only 11 percent said they were actively contemplating leaving their current job, while another 21 percent said they might consider doing so.

The factor that influenced the largest percentage to stay (37 percent) was flexibility in their current job. That group was followed by 32 percent who said they stayed because there were growth opportunities available at their current job. Another 21 percent cited a great company culture as the reason for staying at their job.

So what’s the takeaway? Women seem keenly aware that every job has benefits and drawbacks, and they are willing to take the good with the bad as long as their biggest needs are met. DW