2 days ago
Over 85% of employees plan to change jobs after salary hikes in 2025: Survey
A majority of Indian professionals received salary hikes this year, but for most, it wasn't enough to stay. According to the foundit Appraisal Trends Report 2025, while 74% of employees were handed appraisals during the FY24–25 cycle, 86% still plan to change jobs in the coming report, based on responses from 5,108 professionals across industries and functions, reveals that even sizeable increments—20% and above in some cases—have failed to stem growing hikes fell in the 5–10% range, with only a small fraction crossing the 20% mark. Advertising, education, and IT saw the highest share of professionals reporting no hike at all, while sectors like energy and BFSI offered relatively better payouts.
'This year's appraisal cycle reflects a growing disconnect between employer intent and employee expectations,' said Pranay Kale, Chief Revenue and Growth Officer at foundit. 'Professionals today are looking for more than just compensation—they want growth, visibility, and work-life alignment.'SECTOR-WISE DISPARITIESAdvertising and media led the 'no-hike' list, with 41% of employees reporting no increment. Education (33%), BPO/ITES (31%) and IT services (32%) followed close contrast, energy and BFSI stood out for their more generous increments. In the energy sector, 26% of professionals received hikes of over 20%—the highest among all industries. BFSI showed a balanced spread, with a healthy share of high and mid-range STAFF FARED BETTERThe appraisal cycle favoured execution roles over leadership positions. One in three professionals with 11 or more years of experience received no hike, while only 17% of those with 7–10 years of experience were denied an sales and marketing professionals saw stronger outcomes, with over 20% of respondents in both roles receiving hikes above 20%. IT, HR, and finance roles saw a more conservative cycle, with fewer than 15% reporting top-tier ALONE DON'T RETAIN TALENTJob-switch intent remained high across all hike bands. Even among employees who received 20% or higher increments, 86% said they still plan to leave. Across lower hike bands, the number ranged from 82% to 87%.Only 32% of all respondents felt their increment met expectations and just 36% found the overall appraisal process around hikes and promotions, along with flexibility and career growth, emerged as top priorities for those who chose to stay in their current survey makes one thing clear. In 2025, a salary hike is not a reason to stay. It is a trigger to re-evaluate. For India Inc., that is a warning bell too loud to ignore.- EndsMust Watch
