Do you really know if your staff are happy? Have you ever asked them? "The fact they turn up to work every day is not an indication of employee satisfaction," Sandra Chiles, Director of travel recruitment specialists, inPlace Recruitment said.

"I see unhappy employees every day, coming to us looking for jobs and the first time their employer will know they are unhappy is when they hand in their resignation, by then it's too late.

"One in two candidates we interview say they don't feel valued. It saddens me to see people leaving a good company because they don't feel appreciated for the work they do. No one has bothered to tell them how important they are to the organisation or even said a simple thank you.  Managers and supervisors are so caught up in the pressures of the day to day operation that this is often the last thing they are thinking about.  As one job seeker put it "no one has ever asked me if I'm happy, it seems as long as I turn up and do my job that is enough feedback."

"Staff are exposed to great job opportunities every day and in this candidate short market there are so many options it's so easy to leave," said Chiles.

Chiles believes this is the ideal time of year to do a satisfaction audit.  "Take the time to talk to your team and engage them in a one on one conversation. It doesn't need to be formal or lengthy but needs to be in a space which is confidential and promotes openness.

"It may come as a surprise what it will reveal. It is often small things that can be easily overcome which will start the New Year on a positive note." Chiles said.