1 in 5 techies to switch job this year: Experts

MUMBAI: The attrition level across sectors is likely to go up to 20% in 2015, as a lot of jobs will be available following improving economic conditions, according to industry experts. "With market being upbeat and lots of jobs being available, there will an increase in the overall attrition percentage. We expect the attrition to be in the range of 15-20% across sectors," PeopleStrong HR Services co-founder and CEO Pankaj Bansal told PTI. Sectors like ITeS, software and IT would lead the way primarily because of high entry level attrition, he added. Echoing the view, executive search firm GlobalHunt's managing director Sunil Goel said that international economic recovery and market stability will attract large pool of startups in the market and the talent pools will move from the existing industry specific organization. "The attrition that was almost static at leadership level will see some movement and also increase at mid and lateral level. Attrition will grow to 15-20% and especially in sectors like IT, ITeS it can go up to 20-25%," he added. However, industries like pharmaceuticals, FMCG, aviation, agriculture will have lesser attrition, he said. "It will be interesting to watch the manufacturing sector due to 'Make in India' approach by the government, since this industry used to face least attrition but with new projects coming in can take it to the highest attrition affected industry; however, we have to see if it happens this year or in 2016," Goel said. TeamLease Services senior general manager, EMPI, Hussain Tinwala said the buoyant business and hiring sentiments seems to have had a negative impact on the retention levels. "This has led to a growth in the attrition. The attrition level for previous year was around 5-6% overall, which will go up to 8% this year," he added. Sectors like PSU sectors, however, will continue to be the lowest in attrition because of their stronger branding. "Candidates from private sector applying for PSU jobs is higher at junior and mid segment. Besides sectors like automobile OEM's, infrastructure, CRO would also witness less attrition due to lack of industry growth," he said. He added that the high rate of attrition will have an impact on the smooth functioning of the business. Goel said higher attrition always increases the cost for the organization in terms of recruitment and training the resources and transitions also creates the leakages of the information and business to the competition. "It will be a tough time for HR to keep employee motivation and engagement at the highest levels to minimize attrition and at the same time increasing the productivity," he opined. TOI