Gallup survey: Millennials are the job-hopping generation

By Allen Cone
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PRINCETON, N.J., May 12 (UPI) -- The latest Gallup poll confirms what many have observed about the millennial generation: They job hop.

The report finds that 21 percent of millennials -- which includes people aged 20 to 36 -- say they've changed jobs within the past year. This is three times the number of non-millennials who changed jobs during the same period.

Millennials, who were born between 1980 and 1996, are now the most dominant generation in the workplace with 53.5 million of them -- roughly one-third of the workforce in 2015, according to Pew Research.

In its study, Gallup surveyed 1,700 American workers.

Half of millennials strongly agree that they plan to be working at their company one year from now compared with 60 percent of non-millennials.

Gallup also found that 60 percent of millennials are open to a different job opportunity, compared with 45 percent in other generations.

Why are millennials seeking new job opportunities so often?

Gallup found that only 29 percent of them are engaged in their work, meaning they are connected to their job emotionally and behaviorally. Conversely, 16 percent are not engaged.

"Many millennials likely don't want to switch jobs, but their companies are not giving them compelling reasons to stay," Gallup reports. "When they see what appears to be a better opportunity, they have every incentive to take it."

Jim Harter, chief scientist for workplace management and well-being for Gallup's workplace management practice, says millennials "want a workplace that helps them progress, but they also want to see their own value."

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