More Irish workers left their jobs in 2007 because they were unhappy with their colleagues rather than their salary.
This is according to the Small Firms Association's latest worker mobility report. The report shows that mobility rates among workers here was strong in 2007 as the labour market remained tight despite more moderate economic growth rates.
A total of 340,000 people moved jobs in 2007 with 102,000 leaving because they were unhappy with the people they worked with. 85,000 felt their contribution to the company was not recognised, while 68,000 left their jobs because of a lack of advancement. 47,600 left for a higher salary while 17,000 left because they were simply bored. 20,400 left their jobs for other reasons.
'These survey findings show that in many instances people leave people, not jobs,' commented SFA Director Patricia Callan.
'The role of management is now far more complex, with managers required to do far more than simply give instructions. Managers need to provide training, coaching, support and managers themselves need to be reviewed on a 360-degree basis,' she added.
She warned that companies which respond to employee retention only be increasing wages are only buying time and not loyalty.
'Increasing wages simply to keep staff is like the arms race - expensive to play and impossible to win,' she said.
'Companies must always pay the market rate but other factors are more important in attracting and retaining people in the modern workplace,' Ms Callan said.
