5 Reasons Employees Quit

What the Research Actually Says

Exit surveys consistently show the same top reasons for quitting. Most small business owners guess wrong — they think it's about money, but money is usually 3rd or 4th on the list.

Reason 1: The Manager

The relationship with their direct manager is the #1 reason people leave. Not company leadership, not the mission, not culture — their specific manager.

Signs a manager is causing turnover:

• High turnover on their team specifically
• Employees avoid them
• Feedback is rare, criticism is common
• Promises made aren't kept

Reason 2: Lack of Growth

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