Top performers are leaving their roles amid stalled career mobility, with promotions down in 10 of 11 industries and internal hiring down by 8%, according to a Sept. 9 report from Workday.
Experienced employees also reported anxiety and disconnection due to artificial intelligence in the workplace — and unclear strategies for the future.
“AI may be rewriting the rules of work, but it cannot replace the value of engaged, motivated people,” Ashley Goldsmith, chief people officer at Workday, said in a statement. “The companies that succeed will retain top talent, create meaningful growth opportunities and have a clear strategy for human-AI partnership that drives results.”
Based on Workday data and surveys of more than 1,700 business leaders and nearly 1,000 job seekers, top performers departed “with increasing alarm” in about three-quarters of industries in 2024, with all industries seeing higher attrition rates.
In addition, recruitment has become tougher, as more than half of open roles now take longer than 30 days to fill and a quarter take more than 60 days.
High performers reported a lack of growth and career advancement, leading to lower engagement. Clear career pathways and transparent communication can help retain top talent amid organizational change, the report found.
Employers also need human-centered AI strategies, Workday said, particularly as 44% of employees reported negative comments about AI and strategy in internal surveys. Leaders may be disconnected from front-line workers, the report found, which could erode trust and engagement.
Amid these AI-related changes and ongoing economic uncertainty, more HR teams are shifting their talent strategies toward internal talent development, according to a DDI report. Most HR leaders said they anticipate their organization needing to develop new leadership skills in the next five years.
But at the same time, HR pros may feel stuck as training continues to move lower on the company priority list, according to HR Dive’s Identity of HR survey.
In particular, employers may overlook middle-age and mid-career employees who need career growth and development, according to a Perceptyx report. In 2025, learning and development opportunities are especially important for retention and engagement, the report found.