IT Management Slideshow: Employee Retention Starts With Engagement

Less than one third of employees say they are engaged in their work, and the fallout may result in a mass exodus from companies, according to a survey conducted by BlessingWhite, a leadership-development/workplace-performance firm. Nearly 11,000 professionals worldwide took part in the survey, which reveals that layoffs, salary freezes and other cost-cutting measures have resulted in a sense of detachment within the cubicle ranks. Another contributing factor: The lack of any sense of career advancement among disengaged workers. Such sentiments are inspiring many to consider "jumping ship" within the year. For a significant share of survey participants, it's not really about money -- simply having a job that presents energizing challenges would be enough for their employer to retain them. "Business leaders are right to be concerned about retention of top talent," says BlessingWhite CEO Christopher Rice. "And while raises may encourage some workers to stick around, our findings suggest that employees -- especially high performers -- will remain in jobs that challenge them, utilize their expertise and provide meaning."