Reasons for Exiting an Organization

Understanding Why Employees Leave Indian Workplaces

Why This Report Matters

Employee exits are a natural part of organizational life—but when they happen too frequently or for the wrong reasons, they can disrupt productivity, morale, and growth. The Exit Reasons report by HRhelpdesk® explores why employees choose to leave organizations they once willingly joined, and what patterns emerge across gender, roles, and industries.

Based on a public survey of 613 participants, this report offers a candid look into the motivations behind resignations, the notice period norms, and the financial implications of early exits. It also highlights gender-specific trends that reveal deeper cultural and structural challenges in Indian workplaces.

For HR professionals, business leaders, and policy advocates, this report is a valuable resource to understand attrition beyond numbers—and to design better retention strategies.

Survey Overview

• Survey Period: December 2, 2019 – January 12, 2020
• Participants: 613 qualified responses
• Gender Split: 60% male, 40% female
• Method: Online public survey

Key Insights

Notice Period Norms

• Most organizations enforce 1 to 3 months of notice period.
• 39.8% of respondents served a 1-month notice, while 30.7% served 3 months.
• Longer notice periods (4–6 months) were rare and typically applied to senior roles.

Notice Period Recovery

• If employees exit without serving the full notice, recovery is calculated based on salary.
• 57.1% of organizations use gross salary for recovery, while 42.9% use basic salary.

Top Reasons for Exit

Across genders, the most common reasons included:

• Career growth and slow progression
• Lack of learning opportunities
• Unprofessional behavior of immediate managers
• Salary not meeting expectations

Gender-Specific Trends

Three notable differences emerged between male and female respondents:

1. Choosing to stay at home:
   • Only 1% of men cited this as a reason.
   • 10% of women exited for this reason—highlighting societal pressures and caregiving responsibilities.
2. Forced exits:
   • 0% of men reported being forced out.
   • Significant number of women cited organizational pressure or forced exits—raising concerns about gender bias or lack of support.
3. Work hours:
   • 14% of men found work hours hectic.
   • 26% of women cited this as a major reason for leaving—indicating a need for more flexible and inclusive work arrangements.

Why Download the Full Report?

This public excerpt offers a glimpse into the complex reasons behind employee exits. The full report includes:

• Detailed breakdowns of exit reasons by gender and role
• Insights into notice period practices and recovery policies
• Data-driven recommendations for improving retention
• A deeper understanding of workplace culture and employee expectations

Download Report