MELBOURNE, Dec. 2/Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --

The number of employees applying for jobs in other organisations has jumped dramatically during the past six months.

One in six employees say they have recently applied to leave their current employment.

One in five say they are actively looking around --- an increase of 36% since June.

And more than half say they are considering moving.

The increase in job seeking activity is just one highlight of Leadership Management Australasia's latest Leadership, Employment and Direction Survey (L.E.A.D.).

"The signs are clear - with the slow return to more normal economic conditions, talented employees are already on the move, looking for new opportunities," says Grant Sexton, CEO of Leadership Management Australasia (LMA).

Although 87% of employees would prefer to develop their career with their current employer - the problem is that only 64% believe that's possible.

"One in five employees is looking to jump ship for a better offer. Organisations will need to be highly vigilant in talking with and staying close to their top people. If they don't, they'll lose them," says Mr Sexton.

"Too many managers and business leaders seem to be trading on the loyalty of the people who helped them through the worst of the global financial crisis. But they could be in for a wake up call. They must identify and talk to their top people to lock them in for the future," he says.

"With no reassurance about their own futures, it's no wonder so many people are casting around looking for other opportunities.

One of New Zealand's most significant surveys into workplace issues and their effect on management and employees, L.E.A.D. is now an on-line rolling survey.

Survey results are released three times each year, constantly updating what is really happening within New Zealand and Australian organisations.

For a copy of the L.E.A.D. Survey results go to http://www.lma.biz/media/LMA-LEAD-Survey-Results-Dec-09.pdf

L.E.A.D. is an independent survey and includes the views of more than 3000 representatives from all sectors, locations and organisation sizes. Participants include employees, frontline managers and supervisors, business leaders and senior management.

It draws on 10 years of previous surveys to analyse changes in the workplace, providing the latest insights, trends and emerging issues affecting business and people management.

Leadership Management Australasia has been at the forefront of training and development since 1972.