The quitting tsunami of 2021 is not going to recede any time soon.

Over 47.4 million Americans voluntarily left their jobs in 2021. The quits rate exceeded that of 2019, a year that already saw higher levels of quitting than the previous two years. The trend of elevated quit rates continued well into 2022, and many experts are predicting a higher baseline of jobleaving moving forward.

What’s remarkable about this recent trend is not just the volume—but the variety—of people jumping ship. According to conventional wisdom, middle-aged employees stay put longer, but those people have also been leaving in higher numbers.

With so many employees quitting for so many different reasons, blanket retention tactics aren’t going to cut it. Higher pay, for example, might not keep someone who is leaving because they are seeking work with a higher purpose. 

An understanding of why certain people are about to leave helps employers design targeted retention strategies. This guide breaks down six reasons that your employees might be on their way out, the signs to look out for, and how you can keep them.