Employee turnover could soar over the next few months according to two surveys this week, which put the number hoping to swap jobs in the New Year at 25 and 40%.

The first survey commissioned by training company Video Arts, found that one in four employees are planning to leave their jobs in the New Year. While a second survey by recruitment site Total Jobs put the figure at around 40%.

Career advancement is the most common reason for moving on, according to Totaljobs, which explains why the Video Arts survey found that those at the start of their career, in the 18-24 age group, were most likely to be job hunting.

Variety and challenge of the role (46 per cent) and promotional and career advancement opportunities (20 per cent) were cited as motivating factors when choosing a new post.