A fifth of UK workers are leaving their current jobs to pursue a completely new career, according to new research.

These are the findings of a report by PPS, the HR outsourcing arm of recruitment consultancy Badenoch & Clark, which used data compiled from candidate exit interviews.

The research also showed that 19 per cent of people leave their job due to a lack of promotion opportunities and 14 per cent because of dissatisfaction with the company’s management.

Amanda Marques, managing director of PPS, said that employers must adapt their retention tools to retain workers: "More and more, we are seeing people changing jobs because they want a complete change of profession. Employers need to look at the reasons why people leave their organisation and consider the retention tools available to them, adapting these to best suit their organisation’s needs. Engaging in regular appraisals, providing training and development, and encouraging inspirational management skills are just some steps employers can take to hold on to their staff."

Further results showed that only four per cent of candidates surveyed listed the growing pressures of today’s work environment as the main reason for leaving a job, and only 10 per cent cited poor salary or general dissatisfaction with their job.

Marques added: "Having the right employees in the right jobs is imperative. Companies need to base assessments on capabilities and transferable skills, not just industry experience."