38% of workers say pandemic contributed to a career setback: Robert Half Survey

According to new research from global staffing firm Robert Half, 38% of professionals said their career has stalled since the start of the pandemic — and that number jumps to 66% for those ages 18 to 24. In a separate poll, 59% of senior managers revealed that they postponed promoting top performers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 78% of those respondents worry about staff retention as a result.

Here are some key findings as how careers have taken a hit

Workers experiencing a stalled career reported feeling stuck when it comes to:

• Salary growth: 54%
• Career advancement: 47%
• Ability to grow their professional network: 47%
• Skills development: 44%

Now is the time for managers to invest in upskilling, review performance goals and develop mentoring programs.

 And some professionals shared that they're ready for a career move: Nearly 1 in 3 respondents said they had a shift in perspective due to the pandemic and want to pursue a more meaningful or fulfilling job.

"As the job market continues to rebound, employers need to be concerned about retention," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. "Younger professionals, especially, want to be challenged and may leave if they're unsatisfied. Now is the time for managers to invest in upskilling, review performance goals, and develop mentoring programs that benefit all employees."