Why Employees Leave Despite Raises: The Importance of Work-Life Balance and Job Satisfaction

A recent topic trending on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, is discussing the reasons behind employees' decision to resign, even after being given a raise. This phenomenon is evident in various industries and job roles. The question is, why are these employees still leaving, despite receiving an increase in their salaries?

Many Weibo users aim to shed light on this issue. One user shared a video of Yang Tianzhen, a talent agent from Zhaoju's office, who appeared in a show called "This Round of Adding Money." In the video, Yang emphasized the importance of being brave enough to ask for a salary raise and being clear on the reasons for such a request. Additionally, she advised individuals to be prepared for the responsibilities and expectations that come with an increase in salary.

Other users pointed out that an increase in salary does not always translate to job satisfaction or a perfect work-life balance. Some pointed out that workloads may increase, leading to more stress and burnout. A user named "人间烟火气bot" stated, "An increase in salary also means higher expectations from bosses. When employees cannot meet those expectations, it may lead to job dissatisfaction and, ultimately, resignation."

In contrast, some employers maintain a "master-apprentice" mentality, ethical one user explained, "There is an incorrect mindset among many bosses that they view their employees as students who should be grateful for the teachings and skills they receive from their employers. This mentality does not acknowledge employees' right to compensation for their skills and services."

Another Weibo user, "现金流资产上流", shared their thoughts on how employees can negotiate for salary raises. "Employees need to understand their worth and the value they bring to their employers. They need to be willing to negotiate and be vocal about their needs and expectations. It is through this process that they can secure a higher salary and a better work environment."

However, not all employers are willing to give fair raises. A user named "人间烟火气bot" shared a personal experience where they were given an additional role after two colleagues resigned, but only received a salary increase of 1,000 yuan. They questioned the fairness of this raise and pointed out the decision's impact on their life choices.

Some users also discussed the long-term effects of frequent job hopping on one's career. While finding a better job is tempting, most agree that frequent job changes can negatively impact one's career progression and future opportunities for growth and development.

Other reasons for resigning include a mismatch between the job and the employee's expectations, a lack of job security, and a hostile work environment. A user named "想离职" expressed their frustration, saying, "Co-workers' issues make me want to quit every day." They also expressed their desire to change careers, adding, "I don't want to do accounting anymore, but I don't know what else to do."

In conclusion, while employees are happy to receive raises, they still leave their jobs for various reasons. These reasons include job dissatisfaction, unmet expectations, work-life balance issues, and a lack of job security. Employers should be aware of these factors and address them by providing a supportive work environment and fair compensation to retain their employees.