Small business owners have been warned that over a third of employees are planning to leave their current job once the recession ends.

Research from recruitment firm Robert Half revealed that 37% are planning to leave their current job as soon as the economy is more stable, and nearly 50% within six months of official Government figures confirming that the recession is over.

According to the survey 39% of staff have only stayed in their current job for so long to ensure security during hard times and two thirds of respondents said that the credit crunch made them nervous about changing jobs.

"Whilst the recession has seen the job market slow down significantly, our research shows many are looking to move jobs once the economy picks up," said Phil Sheridan, Managing Director of Robert Half UK.

"Employers need to ensure that they are doing all they can to keep staff morale high so that they do not lose their best people as soon as they see positive signs that the recession has ended."