More Irish workers left their jobs last year because they were unhappy with their colleagues rather than their salary, according to a report by the Small Firms Association (SFA).

The report shows that mobility rates among workers in Ireland was strong in 2007 as the labour market remained tight despite more moderate economic growth rates.

It found that 340,000 people moved jobs in 2007, with 102,000 leaving because they were unhappy with the people they worked with, while 85,000 felt their contribution to the company was not recognised.

The report found that while 68,000 left their jobs because of a lack of advancement, 47,600 left for a higher salary, while 17,000 left because they were simply bored. It discovered that 20,400 left their jobs for other reasons.

SFA director Patricia Callan says: “These survey findings show that in many instances people leave people, not jobs. Managers need to provide training, coaching, support and managers themselves need to be reviewed on a 360-degree basis.”