Ghosting instead of starting a job: employee integration as a risk
The phenomenon of "ghosting" is also taking hold in the world of work: cases of employees who do not take up a job despite having signed an employment contract are on the rise. A study concludes that the first few months in a new job are increasingly becoming a "probationary period for employers.
Signing an employment contract is by no means the end of the process: According to a study by Softgarden, one in ten jobseekers has signed an employment contract but then failed to take up the job. In addition, there are also the 21.0% employees who quit again within 100 days. Softgarden has now proven with their "Candidate Experience 2023" study that this percentage has doubled. 3,811 job applicants were surveyed. Softgarden is a self-reported leader in HR technology in Europe and was recognized as one of the top Talent Acquisition Suites providers in Europe in the Fosway 9-Grid™ Recruiting Report 2022 and 2023.
The "Candidate Experience" study was published in two parts. The first part was published in June 2023 and focused on the job search, employers' own media, and the application process. The second part focuses on the onboarding phase, the emotions in the application and the job interview.
Ghosting in the workplace
The "ghosting" phenomenon is heard more and more often when job applicants or job seekers sign the contract but then do not come to work (4.2%). Such a situation leads to a structural problem in the company or with the employer. Now the employer has to convince the jobseeker and not the other way around. The integration of new employees quickly becomes a challenge. 6.0% of the respondents have already cancelled the signed employment contract before starting the job. "A better job offer" was the most important reason for termination with 41.3%.
Ever quit your job during the first 100 days?
In 2018, respondents answered "yes" to this question by 11.6%, and in 2023, a disturbing trend has been observed: Because in 2023, respondents answered "yes" to the same question 21.0%. Softgarden has described the first few months as a "probationary period for employers." 15.7% have been on the verge of quitting their new job. The problem is the onboarding phase. Incidentally, for people with a simple school-leaving qualification (Hauptschule or Realschule), the proportion of those who have already quit their job once during the first 100 days is much higher than for academics, at 30.8%. Here it is 16.8%.
What are the reasons for leaving a job early?
The majority mentioned three factors on the subject:
- The difference between application stage promises and job reality (70.5%)
- Incompetent managers (71.3% for women) and (63.2% men).
- Lack of plan during induction (60.3% for women) and (54.0% men).
Based on the study results, Kiril Mankovski, managing director of Softgarden, believes that onboarding needs to be improved and that employers need to be more structured in supporting employees throughout the integration phase.
Source: Softgarden. Study Information: softgarden.com/en/study/
