Employee Loyalty Workforce Study

The 2005 Walker Loyalty Report for Loyalty in the Workplace reports that 34 percent of employees are truly loyal, an upward swing of four percent from 2003 and 10 percent from 2001. According to the study, based on Walker’s proprietary loyalty model, truly loyal employees are those who are both committed to the organization and plan to stay with their companies for at least two years.
The study also showed that U.S. companies still have a way to go in creating the work environment and conditions necessary to keep greater numbers of committed employees on their payroll. Perceptions of ethics in the workplace remain unchanged, as do ethics being questioned of senior leaders.
Only 41 percent of employees reported their company views them as its most important asset, and just 55 percent said their company treats employees well. In addition, the research showed slightly more than 55 percent of the employees felt their companies provide ample training and development opportunities.
As shown in the Walker study, employers are still dealing with the rising costs of employee turnover. Only 29 percent of employees on the job for one year or less are truly loyal, while loyalty jumps to 37 percent for one to two years of experience with their current companies. New employees, representing the more mobile younger generation, are the highest risk – with 38 percent reporting they’re ready to leave in the first year, and 39 percent favoring to leave in the second year.