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Plagued by job frustration: One in two job changers quits within a year, as XING study suggests

According to a recent study by the jobs network XING in collaboration with the market research institute Appinio, every second German quits his job within the first year. The reasons for this frustrating trend not only shed light on individual motives, but also reveal deeper problems in the local work culture.

There is often a wide gap between expectations and reality. Around three quarters of people in Germany have already been dissatisfied with a new job at some point, the study shows. But what is particularly remarkable is that 80 percent of those surveyed who quit their job in the first year do not regret this step. This apparent contradiction suggests a complex tension between working conditions and personal feelings.

The study identifies two main reasons for early quits: A salary perceived as too low and dissatisfaction with the manager. Both factors were cited as driving motives by 43 percent of respondents. Likewise, inappropriate or poor team cultures (34 percent) contribute to employees leaving their jobs early.

But it is not only financial aspects that influence job satisfaction. Dissatisfaction with work tasks (34 percent), excessive stress levels (30 percent) and excessive overtime (26 percent) also play a significant role. Dr. Julian Stahl, labor market expert at XING, emphasizes that it is often a combination of reasons that causes employees to change jobs after a short period of time.

Interestingly, differences between genders and generations emerge. Men are more likely to feel moved to quit because of a salary that is too low, while women have more nuanced motivations, such as dissatisfaction with their manager or the team culture. Generation Y is more inclined to quit early, while older generations such as baby boomers tend to hang on longer.

The consequences of this turnover should not be underestimated. In addition to personal consequences for employees and employers, the high number of early terminations leads to additional effort and costs. Dr. Julian Stahl emphasizes the "economic damage" caused by these frictional losses.

However, the study also offers possible solutions. Personalized job searches via XING, for example, enable users to communicate their wishes and requirements for an employer in a more targeted manner. This should help to ensure that candidates and employers are a better match. Active and passive job seekers alike can benefit from this new feature.

At a time when the job market is becoming increasingly dynamic, employers should be more responsive to the needs of their employees to minimize turnover. Ultimately, the study shows that better alignment between employees and employers not only promotes individual satisfaction, but also the country's economic stability.