Low salary is the main reason why employees in Spain leave their company, according to research from Randstad Spain.

Randstad’s Employer Brand Research 2018 found that 51% of employees who leave their company do so because of too low a salary. The next reason cited was lack of professional growth opportunities (44%) which was followed by lack of recognition (33%).

The research also studied what motivates an employee to stay in a company. A good work-life balance was cited as the top reason for staying by 44% of respondents. This was followed by job security (43%), finding their job interesting (40%), an attractive salary (40%) and an excellent location (39%).

According to Randstad, the mismatch between salary being the top reason for leaving and being the fourth reason for staying in a company reflects that the loyalty of professionals must go beyond just the salary since workers increasingly value other benefits.

Randstad also found that professionals with higher education were more likely to leave a company if their work does not pose a challenge. However, among professionals with secondary education, the main reason for leaving is salary. Those who have a basic education are more likely to change companies due to lack of work flexibility.

As for the reasons for staying in a company, employees with university education attach greater importance to the salary. Professionals with basic education cite long-term security as the main reason for staying in a company.