Employee Attrition Facts
Among Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines has one of the highest attrition rates, with 18%, second only to Singapore at 19.6%.
The attrition rate in the Philippines, particularly in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, is a major concern for many employers. In the BPO industry, the attrition rate reaches as high as 30% to 40%, significantly higher than the average across all sectors.
Job dissatisfaction and employee turnover are primarily driven by limited career progression, low pay, inadequate employee benefits, poor leadership and management, and work-life balance issues. These factors contribute significantly to employee churn.
The Impact of Attrition Rates on Business Costs and Productivity
Employers frequently struggle to find and keep mid-career professionals since few eligible applicants exist. It can cause high business costs, resulting in decreased employee morale, higher hiring and training costs, and lost productivity.
To cut costs, some industries in the Philippines have resorted to terminating employees, unintentionally contributing to attrition rates. Some companies have even closed specific business units as part of their efforts to minimize operational expenses.
Due to more employment opportunities, the voluntary attrition rate has risen in other industries, like shared services (15.8%), non-financial services (15.1%), and high-tech (13.2%).
Impact on Key Industries in the Philippines
The Big Quit of 2021 has significantly impacted industries in the Philippines, including construction, professional, scientific, and technical services, electrical supply, and technology and communication.
Due to issues including burnout, a lack of work-life balance, inadequate pay, and little prospects for career advancement, industries are suffering. As a result, companies in these industries face the challenge of retaining their top talents and attracting new ones to fill the vacant positions.
To address this, companies are implementing retention strategies like competitive compensation, career development, and work-life balance.