Companies With the Worst Retention Rate

Apple - 1.7 Median Tenure Years

Apple - 1.7 Median Tenure Years

At Apple, rapid turnover is shaped by both the intensity of its corporate culture and the nature of its vast retail workforce. Employees in headquarters describe a demanding atmosphere where innovation is non-stop and project expectations are high, leading to fatigue for those unable to keep up with quick product cycles.

In stores, team members face challenges such as busy foot traffic, unpredictable schedules, and limited promotion opportunities. The combination of high stress on the innovation front and the routine pressures of retail makes upward mobility difficult for many, eroding morale. Without meaningful work-life boundaries and consistent career support, workers often look elsewhere for roles with more manageable demands and room to grow.

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Amazon - 1.8 Median Tenure Years

Amazon - 1.8 Median Tenure Years

Amazon’s reputation for rapid employee turnover is deeply rooted in its approach to both front-line and corporate management. Warehouse associates contend with relentless efficiency targets and physically taxing routines, often in high-pressure settings that allow little recovery time. Concerns about safety and a sense of being constantly monitored have led to widespread dissatisfaction.

In the corporate sector, ambitious goals and a “leadership principles” culture reward constant competition and fast results, but can leave employees feeling isolated. Few internal policies directly support long-term professional growth. For many, the lack of meaningful development, coupled with high stress and frequent evaluations, outweighs the company’s scale or opportunities.

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Meta - 1.8 Median Tenure Years

Meta - 1.8 Median Tenure Years

Frequent changes at Meta spur unease and encourage employees to plan short careers. Reorganizations, sudden strategic pivots, and periodic layoffs unsettle teams, creating instability at every level. Project scopes shift rapidly, and the pressure to ship features at breakneck speed means employees regularly have to reprioritize or abandon their work with little notice.

Collaboration between teams can suffer under this volatility, and staff sometimes voice concern that management feedback comes too late to be useful. These uncertainties chip away at trust and undermine engagement, so employees often leave to find environments where expectations are steadier and long-term contributions are recognized.

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Tesla - 2.0 Median Tenure Years

Tesla - 2.0 Median Tenure Years

Tesla is known for attracting passionate talent excited by its mission, but sustaining a long-term career there can be difficult. The work environment is fast-moving and often chaotic, with priorities shifting alongside new product launches or sudden company announcements. Employees may work grueling schedules to accommodate aggressive production targets, sacrificing personal time and well-being.

Some feel that communication from leadership is inconsistent, making their efforts seem undervalued or redundant when directions quickly change. Others cite the unpredictable pace of growth as making advancement a gamble rather than a guarantee. The combination of late nights, changing direction, and ambiguous support makes longevity rare.

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AMD - 2.3 Median Tenure Years

AMD - 2.3 Median Tenure Years

AMD’s culture reflects the high-stakes world of semiconductors, but that intensity can wear down staff. Ramping up for launches requires long sprints and adaptability as projects can switch focus or fail without warning, so employees must be ready to pivot. Some thrive in this high-energy setting, but others struggle to find stability or recognition for their contributions.

Reports of internal competition and unclear communication with upper management can leave staff unsure about priorities and their future with the company. Rather than staying in a constant state of flux, many mid-level professionals leave for employers who prioritize mentorship, offer transparent advancement, and provide rewarding challenges.

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ServiceNow - 2.3 Median Tenure Years

ServiceNow - 2.3 Median Tenure Years

ServiceNow’s persistent push for market growth often translates to a demanding internal culture. Employees find themselves contending with substantial backlogs and tight delivery timelines, leaving little room to step back or innovate at their own pace. Rapid scaling can disrupt established teams and erode personal connections, leading to feelings of anonymity or lack of influence.

Feedback loops aren’t always robust, making it difficult for staff to gauge their progress or development. Many who leave cite burnout from mounting responsibilities, as well as a desire for roles where the pace allows for reflection and a more collaborative, people-centered approach.

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Salesforce - 2.8 Median Tenure Years

Salesforce - 2.8 Median Tenure Years

At Salesforce, many employees are drawn by the company’s innovative reputation, but they often leave after encountering structural churn. Those in sales and client-facing roles report shifting quotas and targets, creating an atmosphere where priorities seem to change overnight.

Meanwhile, technical and support teams must continuously adapt to platform updates, often absorbing pressure from both clients and management at once. Advancement pathways can be opaque and mentorship inconsistent, particularly during times of corporate realignment or rapid expansion. Some employees also describe feeling that the “Ohana” culture doesn’t always translate into practical support, leading to disconnection from the company’s stated values.

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NextEra Energy - 2.8 Median Tenure Years

NextEra Energy - 2.8 Median Tenure Years

NextEra Energy is a leader in renewables, so the demands of rapid industry innovation have their drawbacks. Engineers and project managers report being pulled in multiple directions as the company balances numerous initiatives, sometimes with little coordination across teams. Regulatory hurdles, new market entries, and the strain of integrating new technologies mean that roles can change quickly and unpredictably.

Those in non-technical positions may find themselves excluded from major conversations, making their work feel routine or undervalued. A lack of structured professional development paths and infrequent feedback sessions compound feelings of stagnation, nudging employees to seek out companies where change is more manageable.

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S&P Global - 2.9 Median Tenure Years

S&P Global - 2.9 Median Tenure Years

At S&P Global, many staff members cite demanding analytical tasks and pressure to deliver precise data on tight schedules as reasons for leaving. The company operates in a highly regulated field where even minor mistakes can have serious consequences. Employees in research and analytics sometimes feel that high workloads and tight margins for error leave little room for creativity or career growth.

As the industry evolves, tech-driven shifts can make some roles obsolete or less valued. For those looking to grow their skills or try new approaches, the rigidity of the environment can be discouraging, prompting them to explore alternative employers in finance or analytics.

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TJX - 2.9 Median Tenure Years

TJX - 2.9 Median Tenure Years

At TJ Maxx, low retention is strongly tied to the unique pressures of working in big-box retail. Floor staff face physically exhausting work, including stocking and moving inventory, all for pay increases that may not adequately reflect their efforts. Scheduling is often variable, which makes it challenging for employees to plan their lives outside work.

Advancement can take years, with leadership roles frequently filled from outside rather than promoting from within. Many staff feel that their day-to-day contributions aren’t recognized by upper management, leading to a sense of disconnection. When higher-paying jobs with steadier hours become available, employees leave in pursuit of more predictable schedules and advancement potential.

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Goldman Sachs -3.0 Median Tenure Years

Goldman Sachs -3.0 Median Tenure Years

Goldman Sachs’ brand power attracts bright early-career candidates, but the pressures inside are legendary. New hires endure long hours, navigating an intensely competitive environment with minimal separation between work and personal life. Leadership’s “up-or-out” practice, expecting rapid advancement or departure, fosters a climate where many see their roles as temporary stepping stones.

Burnout is frequent, and even those who succeed may leave after securing credentials or networks that boost their future marketability. Some employees note that the focus on measurable results overshadows mentorship and support, pushing them to seek positions that promise a more balanced and rewarding experience.

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Abbott - 3.1 Median Tenure Years

Abbott - 3.1 Median Tenure Years

Retention challenges at Abbott reflect difficulties beyond the demands of the healthcare sector. Employees must meet stringent regulations while constantly responding to changing industry standards, which brings little opportunity to establish routines. Some staff cite the complexity of custom product lines and rapid internal restructuring as disrupting personal career progress.

Professional development often takes a back seat to daily problem-solving and compliance work. When raises lag behind market rates or feedback is primarily performance-driven rather than developmental, employees are more likely to reconsider their future at the company. Many leave for settings that offer stability, consistent feedback, and a clearer outlook for advancement.

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Netflix - 3.1 Median Tenure Years

Netflix - 3.1 Median Tenure Years

Netflix has built its brand on high performance and rapid innovation, but this comes with a unique set of retention issues. Employees are encouraged to always excel according to the “keeper test”—an approach that means job security is closely tied to constant stand-out performance. The pace of project turnover makes it difficult to plan for long-term professional growth.

Some staff find that the openness and candor that define Netflix’s culture can border on brusque, and ongoing reorganizations may feel arbitrary. Perks and compensation compete with the knowledge that even strong contributors could face quick exits if priorities shift. Many look elsewhere for teams that offer stability and career development without continual pressure.

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Vertex - 3.1 Median Tenure Years

Vertex - 3.1 Median Tenure Years

At Vertex Pharmaceuticals — makers of various cystic fibrosis medications — employees are passionate about research but can find the environment volatile due to frequent team changes and evolving scientific targets. Project cycles are often unpredictable as breakthroughs and setbacks shift organizational priorities almost overnight.

Rather than benefit from steady mentorship, staff sometimes move between projects with little chance to develop broader skills or leadership abilities. Support systems aren’t always robust, especially as the company pivots toward new therapies or partnerships. This uncertainty prompts employees to search for positions that feature more consistent direction, clearer training ladders, and space to focus on meaningful work outside of immediate deadlines.

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Nvidia -3.2 Median Tenure Years

Nvidia -3.2 Median Tenure Years

Nvidia’s reputation for cutting-edge technology draws ambitious professionals, but the relentless pace can be hard to maintain long-term. Product teams face high expectations for speed and breakthrough results, which means that launches are often accompanied by rapidly shifting deadlines and changing team dynamics.

Employees describe feelings of pressure to constantly outperform, with recognition sometimes delayed or overshadowed by new cycles of development. Advancement can depend on aligning with ongoing strategic shifts, making future prospects seem uncertain. As opportunities arise at organizations promising more structured career growth and less volatility, many choose to move on, seeking roles that support both innovation and sustainable work habits.

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