• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Millennials

Millennials Are Not Being Rewarded for Job Loyalty

By
Kevin Lui
Kevin Lui
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kevin Lui
Kevin Lui
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 24, 2017, 2:45 AM ET
Businesswoman writing on whiteboard in meeting
Businesswoman writing on whiteboard in meetingJose Luis Pelaez Inc—File/Blend Images/Getty Images

Contrary to popular belief, millennials are in fact less likely to switch jobs than earlier generations, a new study suggests—and the wish for job security could be undermining their potential income.

Among people born in the mid-1980s in the U.K., only one in 25 had switched employers before hitting their 30th birthday. That’s about half of the rate for those born 10 years before them, Bloombergreports, citing data from British think tank Resolution Foundation.

Not only are those staying put not getting better pay—a job hopper in their mid-20s typically earns around a 15% pay raise, according to researchers—they aren’t even getting rewarded for committing to their current employers.

The study finds that employers are no longer offering salary hikes in real terms to long-serving employees in this age range, as opposed to the past average of a 4% raise, Bloomberg reports.

For more on millennials, watch Fortune’s video:

Authors of the study suggest that the stagnation in pay for long-term young employees may be caused by their lack of confidence in job seeking, according to Bloomberg. “Young people are prioritizing job security and opting to stick with their employers,” Laura Gardiner, a senior policy analyst with Resolution Foundation, tells Bloomberg. With evidence that firms are no longer rewarding longevity of service, “such job loyalty can be very costly,” she says.

A different study released earlier this month shows that, by age 30, millennial men in the U.K. would have earned around $15,600 less than the previous generation, reports Bloomberg, because of their shift into employment with lower wages.

About the Author
By Kevin Lui
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.