Report looks at industries with highest number of people moving from job to job
More than one in four employees in Australia's human resources industry are job hoppers, according to a new report, which revealed which industries have the least loyal employees.
Experts at GIGAcalculator looked at occupation data to find about 179,000 job hoppers in the HR field, equivalent to 21.23% of all employees in the industry.
It is the fifth-highest industry with the most percentage of job hoppers, according to the report.
Overall, the Hospitality and Food Services industry logged the highest percentage of job hoppers, with 34.01%, followed by the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry with 26.29%.
"Given the demanding nature of the job, irregular hours, and relatively low wages - averaging around $67,000 per year - it's no surprise employees [in hotel and food services] are quick to seek out other opportunities," the report read.
The report attributed the high number of job hoppers in the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry to the low average annual income.
It found that the average annual income for employees in this industry reaches $61,770, the lowest among all industries covered in the report.
"It's clear that passion alone isn't enough to keep workers committed - low pay makes these industries more prone to job hopping," the report read.
Job hopping refers to the practice of moving from one job to another in relatively short periods of time, according to Morgan McKinley. GIGAcalculator's report considered workers who have been with their current employer for less than a year as job hoppers.
The practice is particularly popular for younger employees, as job hopping is often seen as a way to quickly improve salary offers from employers.
In GIGAcalculator's report, employees aged between 16 and 19 are most likely to job hop, as 70.3% of employees belonging to the age group said they only stayed with an employer for less than a year.
This percentage goes down as employees grow older, according to the report. Only 48.3% of employees said they spent less than 12 months with their current employer.
These findings come as employers in Australia consider job hopping as the "biggest red flag" for job candidates applying for them, according to a Robert Half poll in 2023.
Job hoppers have a variety of reasons for why they frequently switch employers.
Insphire, a people-focused recruitment consultancy firm, said employers who can provide a fulfilling work environment may be able to retain job hoppers.
"Open communication, ongoing development opportunities, and a commitment to employee well-being can make all the difference," it said on LinkedIn.
"So, before ruling out the job hopper, ask yourself: Is your company offering what top talent is seeking? In the end, job retention is about more than loyalty — it's about creating a workplace where people want to stay."
Morgan McKinley also noted that progressive organisations will be able to recognise the value that job hoppers bring to their workplace.
"They appreciate the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that these young professionals infuse into their organisations," it said. "A young workforce can bridge skill gaps and create dynamic teams, enriching the company culture and driving positive change."
