It's very easy to follow the chain of evidence from Employer: "how about $X?" "No, I need $X * 1.15 or I won't join." "OK, how about X * 1.15?" "Done." It's mu

It's very easy to follow the chain of evidence from Employer: "how about $X?" "No, I need $X * 1.15 or I won't join." "OK, how about X * 1.15?" "Done." It's much harder to follow the chain from Employee: "I'm resigning and my last day will be Y." Exit interview: "Reason for leaving?" "Professional growth." "OK, glad it wasn't pay." That combination leads employers to believe that "compensation is obviously important, but isn't the reason that most of our employees leave". People who are leaving aren't going to tell you the entire, crystal-clear truth because there's usually nothing in it for them. Maybe if they really like their co-workers and think there's a tiny chance you'll adjust will they tell you that they're leaving over comp.