19% US workers plan to leave current job in 2010

With the economy showing signs of recovery, many American workers are planning to leave their current job this year to hunt for a new one.

According to a report by consulting firm CareerBuilder, with the improving economic conditions, about 19 per cent workers are preparing to leave their current job in 2010 to find a new one.

Out of 5,200 workers surveyed, about nine per cent are considering to leave in 2011. Employers were forced to take some tough business measures last year due to global financial turmoil, which may be pushing workers to make difficult decisions as well.

The survey revealed that 12 per cent workers whose companies cut benefits or perks said they would stay at their current jobs for six months or less.

While 27 per cent of employees who did not receive a raise or promotion in 2009 said they would leave their current positions in less than a year if they did not receive either of the two, the report added.

In addition, nearly one-in-five workers who experienced pay cuts said they are willing to stay at their current jobs for only six months or less.

"Many of the decisions employers made last year were designed to preserve the health of their businesses and many survived because of them," CareerBuilder Vice president (human resources) Rosemary Haefner said.