Kirsty Ayre, partner at Pinsent Masons, says the rise in resignations is linked to the robust management of a slimmed-down workforce.

Resignations have increased over the past year despite growing fears over job security, new data has found.

The 2010 National Management Salary Survey carried out by Celre, and published by XpertHR and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), has revealed that in the year to February, resignations across the labour market stood at 4.7%, compared to 4.5% 12 months ago.

The survey, based on data collected from 197 organisations covering 43,312 individuals, also implied that employers were failing to persuade staff to stay, with requests for 'internal transfers' as an alternative to leaving dropping to 3.6% from a high of 5.8% last year.

Overall the labour turnover rate climbed to 13.6%, up from 12.4% in 2009.

Asked what lay behind the desire to change jobs, more than half the employers questioned (53.8%) admitted that restructuring and job insecurity had caused many of their staff to jump ship.

A significant proportion (38.5%) recognised that their "failure to offer career opportunities and training" contributed to employees leaving. Nearly two-thirds (61.5%) also admitted that their employees were being approached by headhunters and recruitment consultants.

Other 2010 National Management Survey figures 46% of employers admitted they cannot fill vacancies. Of those, 77% cited the lack of specialist skills among candidates as a key reason. 24% blamed the salaries they are able to offer. 15% believe their location prevents them from attracting suitable candidates.

Ruth Spellman, chief executive of the CMI, said: "A year ago employers were looking at job transfers as a way of halting growth of the dole queue. However, with the latest figures showing that staff are prepared to run the risk of unemployment by jumping ship, questions must be asked about employee engagement levels in organisations up and down the country."

Now in its 37th year, the survey also reveals an average salary increase of 2.5% across the UK.

In real terms, the findings show an average salary of £21,876 for junior staff across the UK, and £43,119 for their counterparts at team leader level.

Senior function heads in the South East are the highest earners (excluding London). With an average salary of £123,769, their pay packet is 39% higher than the lowest equivalent roles in East Anglia (£75,988).

However, Mark Crail, head of salary surveys and HR benchmarking at XpertHR, said: "It should come as no surprise that pay awards have been much smaller over the past year than at any time over the past decade.

"With many companies having frozen salaries in 2009 and inflation on the increase in 2010, employers face mounting pressure to raise pay in the coming months. This is going to present huge challenges for affordability, and with economic recovery still weak and in its early stages, employers need to be able to manage employee expectations about what is realistic."