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The January resignation wave is one of the most predictable patterns in Dutch tech. Yet every year, leaders are surprised when top engineers hand in their notice. The truth is simple: the January resignation wave doesn’t begin in January — it starts in December.
December is when engineers evaluate their workload, leadership support, growth path, and whether they still believe in the organisation’s direction. By the time January arrives, the decision is already made.
Below is why this happens, what leaders overlook, and how to prevent the January resignation wave in your team.
Why the January Resignation Wave Starts in December
December is a natural reflection period. Engineers think carefully about:
- Whether their work mattered
- Whether leadership provided clarity and support
- Whether burnout was ignored
- Whether priorities made sense
- Whether real growth opportunities exist
This reflection is unavoidable, but the outcome depends entirely on leadership behaviour in December, not in the new year.
The Leadership Blind Spot Behind the January Resignation Wave
Many leaders assume December is a “quiet month” and the wrong time for meaningful conversations. In reality, this timing is exactly what makes December critical.
When leaders disengage:
- Concerns go unaddressed
- Recognition goes unspoken
- Misalignment grows
- Uncertainty expands
- Commitment weakens
By January, the decision is locked in, the resignation letter is just the paperwork.
The Retention Behaviors That Work
Leaders who retain top talent in January do the following in December:
- They create clarity for the year ahead: People stay when they know where they are going.
- They give recognition that is specific and tied to real impact: Generic appreciation has no effect on retention.
- They discuss workload, burnout, and expectations openly: Silence is what pushes people out.
- They identify career paths and growth patterns: Ambitious engineers do not wait a year for direction.
- They show presence and support, not distance: People stay when leadership shows up, especially in the final weeks.
Final Thought
The January resignation wave is predictable and preventable. Leaders who take December seriously keep their best people. Leaders who coast into the holidays lose them.
Retention is built in December, not resolved in January.
