Global employment services consulting firm Manpower United Kingdom says its latest survey reveals that staff seek to reach career heights by moving firms and are more likely to stay with their current employer if they had better promotion prospects.

The agency found that after career advancement, opportunities to work more flexible hours were the next main motivators to changing jobs.

Manpower's survey also says that holding onto staff is the most pressing human resources issue for employers.

Highlights of the survey:

• Being able to advance their career was given as the main reason for leaving their current company by 28 per cent of workers
• This compares with 22 per cent who said they switched employers for more flexible working conditions, and 17 per cent who said they moved jobs for an increase in salary
• Retaining staff was the top issue for employers, with 72 per cent of respondents saying it was a concern
• The second biggest issue was seen to be adapting to new legislation, recognised as a worry for 71 per cent of bosses

Says Mark Cahill, managing director, Manpower, ""Holding onto the best people is very much an issue for employers this year, and in a tight labour market, it has never been more important for employers to pay close attention to their retention policies."