Overview
- Stepstone’s mid-September survey of more than 6,800 employees and about 1,000 recruiters finds 68% think about changing jobs several times per month, the highest level yet.
- Pay failing to keep pace with inflation and limited personal development options drive dissatisfaction, with 47% citing missing growth opportunities and 43% calling out weak feedback.
- Nearly one quarter say their work lacks meaning, rising to about one third among Generation Z respondents.
- Federal Employment Agency data show an average of 635,000 vacancies from January to September, down more than 8% year over year, with sharper drops in industry and finance and steadier demand in logistics, transport, care and health.
- Research links disengagement to weaker performance, with Gallup estimating €113 billion in annual economic damage; Stepstone economist Julius Probst recommends employee-supervisor dialogue, stronger leadership and flexible options such as part-time to retain staff.