A recent survey of 2,000 full-time employees by West Monroe Partners, a business and technology consulting firm - found that the majority of employees are loyal to their current employers, provided that the conditions are right.

The survey established that 82 percent of employees have a high sense of loyalty to their current employers, but 45 percent of employees who have been with their companies for less than a year have actually applied for new jobs after experiencing a bad day at the office. Also, 59 percent said they would leave their present employment if they received a more appealing offer from a new company - even if they were happy with their current company.

West Monroe Partners commented that “………in a time when U.S. job openings are at a record 7.1 million, employees have the pick of the litter when it comes to employment options. Overall, employees want to stay with their current companies. But in a tight labor market, there will always be other options for those who feel stuck or idle in their current jobs. If you don't provide your employees the professional opportunities they want they can, and will, find it elsewhere."

Mike Hughes - Managing Director at West Monroe Partners - said:

"Today's definition of loyalty isn't what it once was. Some define loyalty as being focused and giving their best efforts during their time with an organization. Others consider themselves loyal after they hit their one- or two-year anniversary with a firm. In our survey, nearly 90 percent had been with their employer over a year, so that may be enough for them to say 'yes, I'm loyal.' "

Aon, a London-based global professional services firm, conducted a survey which showed that 4 out of 10 workers are passively looking for jobs. They are not actively searching, but would consider another job opportunity.

Ken Oehler - Aon's Global Culture and Engagement Practice Leader - said:

"Most would like to stay with their company. But they are open to see what else is out there."  He added:

"The West Monroe Partners findings indicate that the compact between employer and employee is fragile and that loyalty has its limits. There are many points of vulnerability where an employer could frustrate and disengage an employee and where a competitor could offer something better. Higher pay can certainly lure employees away, but even if pay is in the right place, lack of strategic direction from leaders, frustration with work processes or technology, or lack of development could create the opening for another employer to steal top talent."

In general, employees were found to have high ambitions to stay with their current employers for the long term. The research showed that half of the respondents to the survey plan on staying at their current employer for another five years or more. In addition, more than a quarter said they if they received a new offer they would require a 20 percent or higher pay increase to justify the move.

However, a lack of professional growth opportunity was shown to be the employees' main reason for leaving their company - according to the West Monroe survey - with 46 percent of respondents saying that they left their previous company because they did not witness any opportunity to move up.