Asia – Employees are demanding for career advancement opportunities and appreciation from their bosses - or they would pack up and leave.

According to a recent Robert Walters global survey, insufficient opportunities to progress further is the biggest reason for an employee to consider leaving a company.

A lack of recognition and appreciation from management will also result in employees leaving, say 27% of the respondents. Furthermore, 65% of Singaporean workers say they would most likely leave due to a combination of both factors.

Mark Ellwood, managing director of Robert Walters Singapore, thinks one of the most important things employers can do to retain staff is investing in their employees’ career progression.

He says, “Whilst pay is important, far more vital to staff is knowing how their job will develop.”

Asian employers also need to value their staff more as Malaysians place the most emphasis on recognition and appreciation from management with 29%. Getting a salary raise is far lower down in the list of reasons to leave with 20% of global respondents say they would leave due to an uncompetitive salary package or benefits.

Ellwood says, “Management needs to recognise and appreciate their efforts. Paying out the biggest bonuses and highest salary won’t necessarily guarantee that staff will stay put.”

Although the survey results showed Singaporeans are the most bonus-driven among its peers in Asia Pacific yet only 3% would leave their work if they received a disappointing bonus.

Another reason to look for a new job includes cultural match with 17% of Australians very keen on it, compared to just 13% in Hong Kong and Malaysia, and 12% in Singapore.

The Robert Walters survey questioned 6,300 workers worldwide.