Despite the Recession, Many High Potential Employees Jump Ship

High potential employees arenít afraid to strike out for greater opportunities despite the continuing recession, according to a study of how the best and brightest of high potential talent have weathered the global recession over the past 18 months. The report released by Catalyst, Opportunity or Setback? High Potential Women and Men During Economic Crisis, offers a surprising overview of the current workplace and recommends that even during international economic instability, employee retention must remain a foremost concern for businesses.

The report, part of a longitudinal study of MBA alumni who graduated between 1996 and 2007 from top business schools around the world, provides a myth-busting snapshot of how corporate management views these high potentials, and how women fare compared with men in the United States., Canada, Europe, and Asia. According to the report, more than a third of these skilled women and men received workplace promotions, with Canadian high potentials receiving fewer promotions (23 percent) compared to European (41 percent), Asian (40 percent), and those in the United States (33 percent). This signified employersí willingness to support this talent pool. Yet, a full 20 percent jumped ship, choosing greater opportunity in the face of the uncertain economy.

The study demonstrated that job loss due to downsizing or organizations closing did not substantially affect women more than men. In addition, women did not trade the workplace for home, with nine percent leaving the workforce voluntarily but with 10 percent returning. In fact, they matched men move for move in relocating both within and outside their countries, taking temporary international assignments, leaving for new business ventures, making lateral job moves, and job-hopping.

ìWith few exceptions, the downturn has been an equal opportunity crisis, affecting women and men similarly,î said Ilene H. Lang, President & Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst. ìTop talent around the globe remain confident in their ability to obtain new positions. Businesses cannot afford to assume that the poor economy will keep these high potential women and men from actively seeking better opportunities.î

However, the report showed that women in leadership positions were disproportionately hit. A startling 19 percent of senior women lost their jobs versus just six percent of men. Promotions in Europe were also heavily weighted in favor of men, at 44 percent compared to only 26 percent of women.

Overall, this study demonstrated that high potential women and men are successfully working through the recession with continued choices in employment and prospects for growth. Talent managers who view the economy as an opportunity to scale down on retention efforts should seriously reconsider in light of these surprising findings.